Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Forestry Commission has offered apprenticeships since 2010.

The Government is committed to using apprenticeships to break down barriers to opportunity, support skills development and deliver more effective public services.

Forestry Commission developed the degree Level 6 Professional Forester Apprenticeship with University of Cumbria and Institute of Chartered Foresters which now has 74 students including 30 from the private or third sectors. The first cohort will finish their apprenticeship in September 2025.

Forestry England run a Level 3 in-house apprenticeship (formerly a Level 2) which has had 112 delegates since 2013. An additional 16 delegates have undertaken non-forestry skills apprenticeships including mechanical engineering, finance, HR, visitor services and business support.