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Tilhill Forestry launches 2016 graduate programme
(Tilhill Forestry, Stirling, Scotland, December 2015) – Award-winning forestry and timber harvesting
company Tilhill Forestry is on the hunt for candidates with drive, passion and enthusiasm who are
interested in joining one of the forest industry’s leading graduate programmes.
Recent forestry graduates, or those studying for a degree in forestry or related subjects such as land
management, environmental studies or horticulture, will be ideally placed to join the three-year
programme. Successful applicants are assigned to a district office or business stream where they learn
every aspect of that area, including shadowing highly experienced colleagues. They may then move
around the country and across business streams, enabling them to build up their knowledge.
Tilhill Forestry Managing Director George McRobbie said: “The forest industry is a fantastic career
choice and Tilhill Forestry is a superb company to work for. We are looking for graduates with drive,
enthusiasm and passion. Tilhill Forestry offers all its employees a friendly and challenging work
environment with good personal and career development opportunities.”
Whether you’re a recent graduate or studying for your degree, find out more about graduate
opportunities at Tilhill Forestry by visiting www.tilhill.com or contacting Head of HR Geraldine Buchanan
on 01786 435000 or geraldine.buchanan@tilhill.com The application process closes on 26th February
2016.
Tilhill Forestry Ltd, established more than 65 years ago is a national company operating from a network
of offices throughout the UK. The company provides a full range of consultancy and contracting services
to the forest owner and forestry investor. Further information is available at www.tilhill.com
Read about some graduates who have recently joined the Tilhill Forestry programme:
Graduate Trainee Andy Baker
Before joining the Tilhill Forestry scheme, Andy Baker studied at Edinburgh
University from 2009 to 13 - graduating with a degree in Ecological Science.
Andy, 24, who is from Nottingham, explains: “I enjoyed the forestry related topics
we studied but didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do.
“My first job was as an environmental officer with Nottinghamshire police. While I
was there I spoke to a friend from university who was working for Tilhill Forestry in
Dumfries and decided his job as an Assistant Manager (Graduate) sounded more
interesting than mine!
“He told me he was working outside 40 to 50% of the time which really appealed. I learned that his work
was very positive in terms of environmental change, which was a big driver for me. I made some
enquiries, looked at the website and was lucky enough to get the job.”
Tilhill Forestry, Marketing and Communications, Tel: 01892 861008
Unit 1 Birchden Farm, Broadwater Forest Lane, Groombridge, Kent TN3 9NR
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The Tilhill Forestry programme particularly appealed to Andy as he felt it offered him a lot of
independence. “It was about being in control of your own schedule and workload. The responsibility this
job involves and the fact that I was valued appealed to me. It’s an important role.”
Andy is based in Llandovery, Wales, and in the Marches District. His current work as Assistant Manager
(Graduate) includes site visits, talking to contractors and seeing how they carry out different operations,
such as felling and spraying.
“I am also spending time with the GPS unit, which includes mapping out different areas. Other aspects of
the role include working with felling and grant applications, and re-stocking. It is a very varied job.”
As far as his aspirations for the future are concerned, Andy wants to get ICF accredited so he can be a
Chartered Forester. “If I can get that under my belt it will give me a lot of experience and help with my
personal development. I’ve experienced the other side – 12-hour days, office-based in London and I
much prefer working outside.”
And he has no hesitation when recommending forestry as a career: “I’d say, go for it! It is a far more
rewarding career than many other environmental jobs. You have to be comfortable working by yourself
part of the time, but that is part of the appeal. You are making a positive change and you can see that
happening in front of you.”
Graduate Trainee Byron Braithwaite
Byron Braithwaite joined Tilhill Forestry’s graduate programme this year after
graduating with a BSc in Forestry from Bangor University in Wales.
Based at Tilhill Forestry’s Jedburgh office in the Scottish Borders, 29-year-old Byron
wanted a career that would give him an outdoor life.
Byron, who comes from Olney, in Buckinghamshire, has always had a love of
nature. “I grew up loving the outdoors and after doing quite a lot of office work, I
wanted to do something different. I knew about the government incentives to plant
trees and was aware that the industry was growing and wanted to be part of it,” he
explained.
He heard about Tilhill Forestry’s graduate programme while at university. “Graduates on the previous
year’s course came in to talk about the training and support that was available. I wanted to gain field
experience and I knew Tilhill Forestry was the biggest UK company in its field and it had a great
reputation for delivering sustainable forestry, so that was all very appealing.”
Byron’s role as a graduate trainee involves supporting the senior foresters in their work outdoors as well
as in the office, usually one or two days a week.
“There is a lot of field work, which is great for learning on-site tasks. I look at new planting sites, check
the soil and whether it is feasible to plant there, and also work with contractors, checking on what they
need and monitoring work.
“The office side involves grants, mapping work, documenting what progress contractors are making and
providing the information they need.”
Tilhill Forestry, Marketing and Communications, Tel: 01892 861008
Unit 1 Birchden Farm, Broadwater Forest Lane, Groombridge, Kent TN3 9NR
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Byron is looking to progress in his career and become a Forest Manager and then a Senior Forest
Manager.
So would Byron recommend forestry as a career? “It is very interesting and a great way of getting to
work outside,” he says. “There are lots of different parts to the job and each day is different. I hope the
industry continues to grow and more jobs become available. I feel very lucky to have come out of
university into a job that fits me so well.”
Graduate Trainee Ewan Batchelor
Ewan Batchelor, 30, studied for an HND in Forestry at the Scottish School of
Forestry at Inverness College, part of the University of Highlands and Islands. He
also completed a successful, year-long student placement with Forestry
Commission Scotland Lochaber Forest District, which formed part of the HND.
Ewan, who comes from Kirriemuir, in Angus, is now hoping to complete a BSc in
Sustainable Forest Management part-time alongside his employment with Tilhill
Forestry.
A passion for the natural environment lay behind Ewan’s decision to make his career in forestry. He
says: “I come from a semi-rural background and my family would take me out hill-walking and fishing. I
am captivated by the natural environment – be it forest, loch, mountain or coast - and I always find
myself drawn to these places. A fascination for Scotland’s natural resources and curiosity of land
management practices led me into forestry and I haven’t looked back.”
Tilhill Forestry’s reputation in the industry led Ewan to its graduate programme. He explains: “Tilhill is
regarded as one of the leaders in the UK forest management industry so this was the main attraction for
me. I came across the company during my placement with Forestry Commission Scotland and was
impressed with its high standard of management as well as being greatly interested in a number of its
projects across the country.”
His current role is as an Assistant Forest Manager (graduate), assigned to the North Highland District.
“I provide support to forest managers,” he says. “Typical duties include planning and supervising forest
operations and planting contracts, assisting with crop inspections, mensuration, silviculture and
developing long-term forest plans. I also support the development of grant applications as well as
maintaining records and other company systems. The work varies greatly and a good proportion of it
takes place outdoors.”
In the short term, Ewan wants to gain as much forestry experience as possible alongside completing his
Bachelor’s degree part-time.
“I hope to continue broadening my skill-set and developing professionally to gain Chartered Forester
status. In the longer term I would like to be involved in some unique projects at the forefront of forestry
in the UK and perhaps even further afield. I very much look forward to meaningfully participating in an
industry that I genuinely feel most passionate about.”
Ewan says the best part of his job is the satisfaction he gains from working in a natural environment. “I
enjoy getting stuck in and contributing to the delivery of contracts and projects. I am fortunate enough to
work with some excellent colleagues, with fantastic experience and individual talents.
Tilhill Forestry, Marketing and Communications, Tel: 01892 861008
Unit 1 Birchden Farm, Broadwater Forest Lane, Groombridge, Kent TN3 9NR
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“Working for a large forest management company such as Tilhill Forestry also presents many
opportunities for personal and professional development.”
For those keen to embark on a career in forestry, his advice would be to “take that leap and never look
back”. He adds: “Opting to study is a good starting place. I studied at the Scottish School of Forestry at
Inverness College UHI - a fantastic institution where students get an excellent grounding in sustainable
forest management. Relevant work experience is equally as important as theoretical studies and
volunteering can help get your foot in the door and other opportunities can open up as a result.
“Also, I would strongly urge budding foresters to take pride in all their work efforts and draw on the
experience of colleagues and seniors - keep asking questions and be inquisitive.”
Graduate Trainee Sam Bristow
Before joining Tilhill Forestry, Sam Bristow studied forestry and woodland
management at the University of Cumbria.
Nature and the outdoor life have always played a big part in his life, right from
early childhood. “I always loved anything to do with the outdoors,” he says.
“When I was young I volunteered at a local nature reserve. I did that for about
five years and working with nature was one of the career options I put down.
While I was in high school and college I started to research a career in forestry.”
Sam, who comes from Ormskirk, in Lancashire, applied to join the Tilhill
Forestry programme because he felt it was the right scheme to fulfil his ambitions: “I wanted to join a
professional company with a salary and development scheme and Tilhill Forestry fitted that brief.”
He began work with the company as an Assistant Harvesting Manager, but changed recently to forestry.
“I work with a Senior Forestry Manager on certification and other duties to do with forestry such as on
site and supervising on active jobs.”
Sam plans to stay with Tilhill Forestry and develop his career at the company. “I want to progress in the
company and to develop personally,” he says. “As long as I have a job that challenges me and that I
enjoy - that’s what matters to me most. Every contract and every forest is different and needs a different
approach.”
And to anyone considering a career in forestry, Sam has this advice: “I’ve found one of the best ways of
getting into the industry is combining some form of formal training with on the job experience as it makes
you a more desirable candidate to employers. One of the great things about Tilhill Forestry’s graduate
training scheme is that its training is right at the forefront of the industry.”
ENDS
For further information contact Suzi Christie PR Consultant for Tilhill Forestry on 01435 830031 or e-mail
suzi@blueberry-pr.co.uk
Tilhill Forestry, Marketing and Communications, Tel: 01892 861008
Unit 1 Birchden Farm, Broadwater Forest Lane, Groombridge, Kent TN3 9NR