Members of the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ Professional & Educational Standards Committee convened in January this year to approve the accreditation of Scottish Forestry’s WOODS development programme.
The programme is the first provided by a public sector organisation to achieve accredited status. WOODS was introduced in 2022 to provide all new woodland officers with a range of skills and knowledge so that they are competent and confident in their jobs.
Successful completion of the WOODS programme now offers individuals two additional Professional Membership Entry (PME) qualifying points, meaning graduates without an honours degree specifically in forestry or arboriculture may be able to present for PME two years earlier than before (subject to eligibility).
The accreditation of graduate programmes offers a more flexible route to chartered status – a route that acknowledges additional qualifying points for vocational skills and professional development in a real-world setting, rather than replicating the learning outcomes of academic studies.
Louise Simpson, Executive Director of the Institute, said:
“I am delighted that the Institute is able to formally recognise the professional development opportunities afforded to staff of Scottish Forestry through this newly Institute-accredited graduate programme.
“As we continue to address the ongoing skills shortage in the sector, it is vital that the Institute continues to offer flexible routes to chartered status, and acknowledging the vocational skills and training offered by respected, rigorous in-house forestry graduate schemes is a significant part of this.”
Paul Lowe, CEO of Scottish Forestry, commented:
“We are all very proud to be awarded this accreditation and especially since we are the first public sector organisation in the UK to receive it – that’s fantastic.
“It’s a strong endorsement of our ongoing investment into staff development and supports our activities in relation to woodland creation across Scotland.”
Find out more about joining the Institute, and all the routes to chartered status, via the Institute’s website.
