Small forestry contractors across Scotland are delivering far more than environmental projects as part of major work supported by Forestry and Land Scotland, with businesses now helping train young people, create jobs and tackle skills shortages in rural communities.
Every year Forestry and Land Scotland works with around 72 suppliers involved in areas ranging from woodland creation and tree planting to wildlife management, invasive species control and timber harvesting.
Many of those businesses are now also playing a growing role in developing the next generation of skilled rural workers thanks to new community benefit requirements introduced through Scottish Government procurement rules.
One major focus has been peatland restoration where demand for specialist contractors has increased sharply across Scotland as efforts continue to restore damaged peatlands and reduce carbon emissions.
Claire Guerin, Environment Programme Manager at Forestry and Land Scotland, said:
“Since 2023, we have been working with six specialist suppliers delivering peatland restoration at several locations across Scotland.
“It’s a challenging area because the few contractors with the knowledge, skill and equipment to carry out the work have been in high demand.
“To address this skills shortage and to increase workforce capacity, our contracts now include an element of support that has enabled businesses in this field to take on local young people, provide work experience and provide further training for existing employees.
“So far, 21 staff have benefited from up skilling or specialist training.”
Across the wider supply chain, contractors have delivered formal work placements, unpaid work shadowing opportunities and apprenticeships while helping train new peatland restoration operators.
Training has included accredited qualifications, specialist peatland restoration courses, first aid certification, ATV qualifications and practical environmental restoration techniques including drain blocking and wave damming.
Suppliers have also supported wider sector training events reaching more than 100 people across Scotland involved in environmental and land management work.
Claire Guerin added:
“Suppliers have also supported school engagement activities, hosted international and cross sector knowledge exchange visits, supported volunteering and collaborative training with partner organisations, and in one instance has made a significant financial donation to a local community and sponsorship.
“Together, these activities demonstrate that the peatland restoration programme is delivering lasting social and economic value alongside environmental outcomes, directly supporting the growth of a skilled, resilient, and locally based peatland restoration workforce.”
For many rural communities, the work highlights how environmental restoration projects are increasingly becoming tied not just to conservation goals but to long term economic opportunities, training and employment in areas where skilled local jobs remain critically important.
