New forestry forwarder training course launched

Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board in conjunction with Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College, has launched a new forestry forwarder training course.

The course is supported by Skills to Advance, a national initiative by SOLAS, that provides upskilling and re-skilling opportunities to employees in jobs, as well as equipping them with the skills they need to progress in their current role or to adapt to changing technologies.

Forestry forwarders are specialised machines that are used to collect cut lengths of timber and transport them from the forest to a roadside stacking area on harvesting sites.

Forwarder operators manoeuvre through the forest following the route of the harvester, extracting felled timber to the loading area before arranging log assortments for collection. Forwarder machine operators are required to have a broad technical ability and knowledge alongside safety, environmental and organisational skills.

Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Teagasc Head of Education, outlined how staff in Ballyhaise Agricultural College have worked closely with forestry harvesting contractors in recent years and together, they have identified skills gaps and the need to invest in their workforce by providing education and training to staff.

Pictured from left to right at the launch of the Forestry Forwarder Training Course are: Sinead McKenna, Training Services Manager, CMETB; Marianne Lyons, Assistant Principal, Ballyhaise Agricultural College; John Kelly, Principal, Ballyhaise Agricultural College; Dr Fiona McGrath, Chief Executive, CMETB; Cllr. Carmel Brady, Chair, CMETB Board; Eamonn Kenny, Coillte, Operations Director; Kay Maguire, Learning and Development Manager; Eileen Roddy, Workforce Development Officer, CMETB; Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Teagasc Head of Education; Colm Brophy, Forest Manager, Coillte; and Joe McGrath, Chair, CMETB FET Board.