The Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae has today (June 16) announced the second tranche of the open call for proposals for forestry skills training.

The call for proposals for training projects aims to expand the knowledge and capacity of various groups in the forestry sector.

Targeted groups include forestry students in higher level education, registered foresters and forestry contractors. 

Minister of State Healy-Rae said: "I am delighted to announce the launch of this dedicated training call.

"This open call will help to support projects that address the current technical and safety needs of the sector, ensuring that the industry continues to operate in a safe and productive manner," the minister added.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the call has two modules that will target a different group within the forestry sector.

Module one will be aimed at training students registered on full-time forestry programmes at QQI level 5 and above.

Meanwhile, module two is aimed at proposals aimed at training forestry professionals and others working, or considering working, within the sector. 

DAFM expects three proposals to be made per module, for a total of six projects at a maximum of €50,000 per project, funded per annum.

Applications are invited from any group or individual. Projects should meet one of the ten training priorities identified, which are listed below:

Environment compliance.
Forest operator skills.
Forest protection and forest health.
Health and safety.
Sustainable forest management.
Climate mitigation in forests and timber.
Adaptation of forests, for climate change.
Forestry legislation.
Forest technology.
Ecology.

According to DAFM, the training priorities are the same for both modules.

This process is open to all, and applications are sought from as wide a range of stakeholders as possible, to cover each of the training priorities.