Healy-Rae encourages students to explore forestry careers
Minister of State for forestry Michael Healy-Rae today (March 11) launched a new digital learning tool called ‘Forests in Your Future’, to highlight the benefits of the sector to students.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Healy-Rae said: “Forestry is a growing sector that is helping to shape our country’s future.
“It can play a pivotal role in helping us to meet our commitments in relation to climate mitigation, biodiversity protection and sustainable timber production.
“There are going to be many career opportunities, and I want the youth of Ireland to know this.”
He encouraged students to consider forestry-related studies when filling out their CAO form in a couple of years’ time.
“The Forests in your Future resource reveals the rich variety of career options available to them," he said.
Digital learning tool
‘Forests in Your Future’ is for use in Transition Year.
The new digital learning tool explores the range of career opportunities within the forestry industry, from ecologists and engineers to machine operators and forest planners, offering pathways for young adults to pursue a career in the sector.
The structured course breaks down complex forestry topics, supporting teachers in delivering an introduction to forestry through videos, quizzes, and classroom discussions.
Each section includes prompts for class discussion, encouraging students to think critically about the role of forests, their local environment, and their own potential future in the sector.
The minister said: “The Forests in your Future learning portal is a wonderful resource for teachers, career guidance counsellors, and students to engage with.
“It is a well-structured, adaptable, and forward-looking educational tool that I hope gets plenty of use in classrooms around the country.”
The learning resource can be found on the Forests in Your Future website.
Forestry Programme 2023-2027
Earlier in the week, Minister Healy-Rae announced the results of the mid-term review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
The Irish Forest Owners (IFO) chair Nicholas Sweetman welcomed the launch of the review.
He encouraged all landowners, and “in particular farmers”, to examine the “various options for afforestation that the Forestry Programme offers”.
He said: “There is a place for woodland creation, whether from a commercial or environmental standpoint on every farm in Ireland."
“All in all, the review represents a very praiseworthy step forward for forest policy which is so key to meeting Ireland’s environmental commitments.”
The IFO praised “very welcome increases in grant rates and road and fencing allowances announced in the review and many sensible adjustments to various scheme requirements”
Additionally, the group welcomed “a clearly stated commitment from the Forest Service to continue to engage with stakeholders in providing training and/or clarification on issues arising from all aspects of the Forestry Programme”.
'Positive changes'
The Social, Economic and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA) and the Irish Farmer’s Association (IFA) also welcomed the publication of the forestry programme review.
According to SEEFA, the review reflects “constructive engagement between the department and sector stakeholders, providing a clearer platform for planting and programme delivery for the remainder of the forestry programme”.
Additionally, according to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) Farm Forestry chair, Padraig Stapleton, there were "positive changes" introduced as part of the mid-term review, including the additional €3.5 million secured per annum up to 2027.
