Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund Application for Grant Support

UPDATE:
Please note that with the exception of the Instructor Courses and First Aid and Silviculture course categories, all available funding for all other course categories is now fully allocated and no further applications are being accepted for the following course categories: Arboriculture; Chainsaw; Deer Management; Fencing, Hedge Laying, Coppicing, Charcoal and Firewood Processor; Forestry and Woodland, Pesticides; Pest Management and Control; and Plant and Large Machinery.

If you live or work in England, you may be eligible to apply for funding to cover the full cost of short, practical training courses in forestry and arboriculture. 100% grant funding is available for people considering a change of career or seeking to build and diversify their skills in forestry and arboriculture and who want to undertake a forestry-related or arboriculture-related training course. This includes, but is not limited to, planning and planting a new woodland, coppicing, deer stalking, chainsaw maintenance, marketing and selling timber. Arboriculture courses include aerial tree pruning, branch removal and crown reduction, as well as assisted felling and tree surveying.

Applicants should note that all training must be completed by no later than 31st March 2025, using one of the pre-registered training providers. You should check with your preferred training provider to confirm that they deliver the course for which you would like to request grant funding, and that they have availability for your chosen dates before you submit your application. Funding will not be awarded for training courses that have either been booked, or completed prior to a grant award being made.

Funding for courses is limited and we would encourage those interested to apply early. Priority will be given to those individuals who either have not previously been awarded grant funding through this programme, or who have been awarded funding for less than 3 courses since February 2023. Individuals who have previously been awarded funding for 3 or more courses may still apply, but there is no guarantee that any further grant funding will be awarded.

Should you wish to apply for grant funding, we would advise that you identify your chosen training provider for the course for which you would like to request grant funding using the searchable course list function below.

Apply Now

A range of courses and training providers available near you

UPDATE:

Please note that with the exception of the Instructor Courses and First Aid and Silviculture course categories, all available funding for all other course categories is now fully allocated and no further applications are being accepted for the following course categories: Arboriculture; Chainsaw; Deer Management; Fencing, Hedge Laying, Coppicing, Charcoal and Firewood Processor; Forestry and Woodland, Pesticides; Pest Management and Control; and Plant and Large Machinery.

There are a wide range of courses that offer that first step into forestry and arboriculture, or will help top-up your current skills and develop your career further.

Please scroll to the bottom of this page for more details. 

Our training providers offer fully-funded courses from, but not limited to, planning and planting a new woodland, coppicing, deer stalking, chainsaw maintenance, marketing and selling timber. Arboriculture courses include aerial tree pruning, branch removal and crown reduction, as well as assisted felling and tree surveying.

All you need to do is select the right training for you from our list of eligible courses, choose a training provider from the register, and fill in the application form. Please note that all training must be completed by no later than 31st March 2025.

Please ensure that you check with your preferred training provider to confirm that they deliver the course for which you are requesting grant funding, and that they have availability for your chosen dates before submitting your application. Funding will not be awarded for training courses that have either been booked or completed prior to a grant award being made. 

Apply Now

Are you a Training Provider?

If you’re a training provider and deliver any of the eligible courses, you can apply to join the Forestry and Arboriculture Fund Training Provider register by completing the registration form.

You can see the current list of registered providers by viewing the map of Courses and Training Providers which can be found at the bottom of this page.

To join the register you have to have been trading for 12 months, carry appropriate insurance and offer at least one of the eligible courses.

What Training is Available?

Eligible training courses have been selected to support the training requirements of people that are new to, or already work in the forestry and woodland management and arboriculture industry in England.

You can find a training course in your area by viewing the map of Courses and Training Providers which can be found at the bottom of this page.

Landscaping, horticulture and agriculture training courses are not in scope for this funding.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What size of grant can I apply for?

We are offering 100% funding for eligible courses, meaning courses are free for applicants. Applicants should note that expenses, such as travel, and safety equipment are not included.

How many times can I apply to the fund?

Priority will be given to those individuals who have not previously been awarded grant funding through the programme, or who have been awarded funding for less than 3 courses since February 2023. Individuals who have previously been awarded funding for 3 or more courses may still apply, but there is no guarantee that any further grant funding will be awarded.

What if I can’t apply online?

You can print an application form and post it to us.

Where can I find out more information?

Visit www.gov.uk/guidance/forestry-and-arboriculture-training-fund or email enquiries@forestryandarbtrainingfund.co.uk

EMB Limited has been appointed to administer the fund on behalf of the Forestry Commission.

Map of Courses and Training Providers

Please use the search tool below to identify the courses that are eligible for grant support, along with details of the training providers that have registered to deliver each course.

Please note that with the exception of the Instructor Courses and First Aid and Silviculture course categories, all available funding for all other course categories is now fully allocated and no further applications are being accepted for the following course categories: Arboriculture; Chainsaw; Deer Management; Fencing, Hedge Laying, Coppicing, Charcoal and Firewood Processor; Forestry and Woodland, Pesticides; Pest Management and Control; and Plant and Large Machinery.

Find Course Providers

Available Course Providers:

Arborchase Limited

Arborchase Limited, Unit 1 Coppice House Farm, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5RP

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Argyll Plant Training Ltd

4 Allt Na Ceardaich, Crarae Furnace, Inveraray, UK

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Bedford College

Bedford College, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, UK

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Blake Training Limited

Blake Training, Moor Road, Middlezoy, Bridgwater, Somerset, UK

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Borderlands Outdoor Instruction Ltd

Singleton Court Business Park, Wonastow Road, Monmouth NP25 5JA, UK

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Brampton Valley Training and Assessments Ltd

Brampton Valley Group Ltd, Towcester NN12 8EU, UK

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Central England Training Ltd

Cross Fields Road, Warwick CV34 5HU, UK

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Countryside Training & Tree Management Ltd

1 Blackheath Lane, Stafford, UK

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Cumbria Woodlands

Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7RL, UK

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DJ Gemmill

Sayer’s Farm, Bovinger, Ongar CM5 0NE, UK

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EasTec UK Ltd

16 Hackford Road, Hardingham, Norwich, UK

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East Kent Training

Rowden Mill Lane, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 2JT, UK

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East Malling Short Courses

East Malling Research Station, New Rd, East Malling, West Malling, Kent, UK

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Focus on Forestry First Ltd

Coed Pwllacca, Brynwern, Llanfihangel Brynpabuan, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SE, UK

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Forest Park and Garden Training Services

Forest Park and Garden Training Centre Cardiff, Taffs Mead Road, Treforest Ind. Est., Treforest, UK

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Forest Skills Ltd t/a Chris Garland Training

40 Fir Tree Avenue, Knutsford, Cheshire East, UK

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Foreststar Training

Exhall, Alcester B49 6EA, UK

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Greenway Training Ltd

Greenway Training Ltd., Lyneham, Wiltshire, UK

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H&W Training

Sandy Lane, Locharbriggs, Dumfries DG1 1SA, UK

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High Peak First Aid Training

Eccles House Business Centre, Eccles Lane, Hope, Hope Valley, UK

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Holme Lacy College

Holme Lacy College, Centre For Rural Crafts, Holme Lacy, Hereford HR2 6LL, UK

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J Threlkeld Ltd

Home Farm Cottages, Grizedale, Ambleside LA22 0QN, UK

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Kernow Training Ltd

Summercourt, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 5BN, UK

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Kingswood Training

223 Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, Kent, UK

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LBS Training & Assessing SW

9 Corner Close, Wellington TA21 8QE, UK

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Land Skills Training & Assessments Ltd

Pixham Lane, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1PH, UK

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Lowe Maintenance

18 Duke Street, Settle, North Yorkshire, UK

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Ludlow Training Company

Ludlow Training Company Ltd, Unit 14 Orleton Road, Ludlow SY8 1XF, UK

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Lynher Training Ltd

Hoopers Lane, Gunnislake PL18 9NN, UK

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Maydencroft – Barnard Castle

Bowes Road, Barnard Castle DL12 9RB, UK

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Maydencroft – Hertfordshire

Maydencroft Manor, Maydencroft Ln, Gosmore, St Ippolyts, Hitchin, UK

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Maydencroft – Windsor

Common Road, Dorney, Windsor SL4 6QB, UK

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MediArb Training Ltd

22 Oak Avenue, Arley, Coventry CV7 8FN, UK

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Millhouse Training Ltd

White Moss Business Park, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9TG, UK

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Morton Training Limited

Morton Training Limited, Drain Lane, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, York, UK

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One Ash Training Ltd

One Ash Training, Alder Lane, Widnes WA8 5PY, UK

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Park Hill Training Ltd

Park Hill Training Ltd, Park Hill Lane, Loughborough LE12 7NG, UK

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Penfold’s Woodland Management Limited

22 London Road, Liphook GU30 7AN, UK

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Plumpton College

Ditchling Road, Brighton, UK

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Remote First Aid

The Engine Rooms, Station Road, Chepstow, NP16 5PB, UK

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River Stewardship Company/Riverlution

River Stewardship Company, Newhall Road Industrial Estate, Sanderson St, Sheffield, UK

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Roland Heming Forest & Arb Limited

Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9HP, UK

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STS Training Solutions

4 Wards Hay Close, Stoke Orchard, Cheltenham, GL52 7SP, UK

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ScJ Training Ltd

37 Main Street, Beswick, Driffield, East Yorkshire, UK

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The Landscape Academy

The Landscape Academy, Barnhouse Lane, Great Barrow, Chester, UK

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Trent Valley Training

Town End, Laxton, Newark, UK

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Trident Health and Safety Ltd

148a Testwood Lane, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK

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Vale Training Services LTD

Vale Training Services, Marsh Hill Farm, Marsh, Aylesbury, HP17 8ST, UK

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Vegetation Management Training and Education

Colpmans Farm, Islip, NN14 3JY

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Vicky Anderson Training

Vicky Anderson Training, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, UK

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mwmac Ltd

Coed Pwllacca, Brynwern, Llanfihangel Brynpabuan, Builth Wells, Powys, UK

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