AN estimated 16,000 people are employed in forestry in Ireland 7,000 in direct employment and the rest in indirect employment. The strategic plan for Irish forestry, published last year by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, targets a total employment figure of 27,000 by the year 2020. At present total forest cover is about 8 per cent of our land area, the lowest in the EU, but under the plan this will increase to 17 per cent by the year 2030.
UCD offers the country's only undergraduate degree in forestry. Students apply for admission to agriculture and take a common first year. They choose one of the nine specialisms on offer in second year. Usually between 15 and 20 students opt for forestry but there is no set quota of places.
First and second years are devoted to academic subjects. In the second half of third year, students go out on professional work experience with Coillte. Professor John Gardiner says that this work experience is an absolute requirement. It works as a kind of internship with each student placed with an experienced forester. The work placement is monitored by UCD and students have to prepare a series of reports.
In fourth year students concentrate on professional studies which include silviculture (the equivalent of crop science in agriculture), forest management, harvesting and wood utilisation, explains Gardiner. The job scene is good but slow, he says. As with many other areas, most graduates can expect to spend some time on short-term contracts before they secure permanent employment.
Graduates find work with Coillte, the forest service, private forestry companies, and in the manufacturing sector in saw or board mills. If they are working directly in forestry, they are usually employed as forest managers. Coillte also has a research section which employs graduates. New areas are opening up Ireland's first urban forester is a graduate of the UCD course while three other graduates have set up their own company developing computer aids to forestry management.
There are about 30 students pursuing postgraduate studies in forestry in UCD from diplomas, to masters to PhDs.
Teagasc agriculture college, in Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, offers a two-year certificate in forestry. The course consists of nine months of lectures, discussions, and supervised practical training in forestry; six months of practical skills training with Coillte and three months work experience with the private forestry sector.
The course is aimed at those who want to be forest supervisors and it's also suitable for training young people going into forestry on their home farms or seeking employment as contractors. The course includes botany, soil science, establishment, protection, maintenance, management, harvesting and conservation. On the skills training side students will learn about planting, fencing pesticide application, cleaning, chainsaw handling and pruning.
Prospective applicants should have Leaving Cert standard or equivalent or satisfactory experience in forestry. Interviews are held in late June/early July. Grants are available to cover tuition and to contribute towards the cost of accommodation.
Waterford RTC has received NCEA approval for a three year ab-initio diploma in science in forestry however it is not listed in this year's CAO handbook. It may begin this year so keep an eye out for advertisements. Subjects will include applied chemistry, biology, forest science, geology and soil science, maths and computers and physics.
