Find the answer to your question on the following options below
- Apprenticeships
- Summer internship programme
- Young volunteers
- Applying for a job at Forestry England
- Success profiles
- Diversity and inclusion
- Understanding pay bands
1. Apprenticeships
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is paid employment where you will complete on-the-job training.
Apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing theoretical foundation-based learning in a specific sector or role. This can be with a college, university, or training provider. Upon successful completion you will be awarded a nationally recognised qualification.
What type of apprenticeships does Forestry England offer?
We offer a Level 3 Forest Craftsperson apprenticeship. Each year we will take between 8 and 12 new apprentices.
Apprenticeships in HR, Finance and other corporate roles are also available. For these, we recruit on an ad-hoc basis.
When apprenticeship places become available, we post them on Civil Service Jobs.
How long does an apprenticeship last?
About 23 months, but you have the option to complete it earlier.
Do I have to pay for anything?
No. Forestry England will provide you with a laptop, work phone, and personal protective equipment if required. We will also reimburse you for travel expenses, such as fuel and hotel stays, if you need to travel for training outside your work location.
Forestry England will provide any reasonable adjustment equipment to support your learning, such as reader pens.
How do I apply?
- visit Civil Service job search - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK
- click on “Advanced search”.
- in the Filter search under Department choose “Forestry Commission”.
- under Contract type select “Apprenticeship”.
You can refine your search further by using the other filter options.
Can non-UK citizens apply?
Forestry England is a Civil Service Department therefore all candidates should meet the Cabinet Office's nationality requirements set out on the Civil Service website.
Can I apply if I am a Forestry England employee?
Yes, if you are interested in gaining the experiences that the programme will provide then you are welcome to apply. Please be aware that you will be required to vacate your current post to take up one of the apprenticeship posts.
Are the qualifications I get during an apprenticeship only valid to work with Forestry England or are they valid industry-wide?
The qualifications you will get during the Forest Craftsperson apprenticeship are recognised nationally. Once you have passed the End-Point Assessment you will be a fully qualified Forest Craftsperson.
Qualifications you receive during our corporate apprenticeships are also recognised nationally.
Will I get a job at Forestry England after I’ve successfully completed the apprenticeship?
Towards the end of the apprenticeship, we will work with you to find you a suitable permanent position with Forestry England. This will be conditional on you passing the End-Point Assessment (EAP).
What skills and interests do I need to apply for the Forest Craftsperson apprenticeship?
A candidate for the Forest Craftsperson apprenticeship is expected to have:
- an interest in countryside management, forestry, conservation or similar.
- the ability to be a good team player.
- willingness to learn new technical skills like how to use a chainsaw and the safe use of pesticides.
- level 2 in English and Maths or ability to obtain them during the apprenticeship, this will be in addition to the apprenticeship curriculum and qualifications.
Please be aware that the apprenticeship will include a lot of physical training, often outdoors in all weathers.
Will I need to travel to different locations as part of the Forest Craftsperson apprenticeship?
Yes. Most of the training will be delivered in Cannock Chase, near Birmingham. However, for some learning modules travel to other locations across England will be required.
Do you consider applications from any background?
Forestry England are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of the nation’s communities. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, and age. Read our Growing the future | Our people and values | Forestry England.
Who can I contact if I have more questions before I apply to an apprenticeship at Forestry England?
Please email Health and Safety Technical Training at england.training@forestryengland.uk
2. Civil Service Summer Internship Programme
What is the summer internship programme?
This programme, run by the Cabinet Office, gives university students from all walks of life the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. To join Forestry England as an intern, indicate your preference when asked at interview stage.
Doing an internship at Forestry England offers the opportunity to gain experience working in forestry, sustainability and conservation.
Will I be paid?
Yes, the pay is currently £391 per week (paid monthly).
What tasks will I be doing?
Getting up close to our work with sustainable forestry, wildlife and other projects, you’ll have the opportunity to be out and about in our forests. You will be:
- conducting research.
- providing project support.
- assisting with the creation of policy documents.
- shadowing senior civil servants.
- attending meetings with senior advisors on major issues.
Do I need to work full-time?
The working hours are 37 hours per week, though there may be some flexibility. Discuss this in your interview.
When does the internship run?
They vary between 6 and 8 weeks over July and August.
Where are they based and will I need to travel?
We offer a mixture of office/site based and remote working to suit the role. Any extra travel required will be paid by us.
Can non-UK citizens apply?
Forestry England is a Civil Service Department therefore all candidates should meet the Cabinet Office's nationality requirements set out on the Civil Service website.
How do I apply?
Apply on the Fast Stream CS Portal.
On the portal you will create a profile and complete online tests. If successful you will fill in an online application form followed by a telephone interview.
More information can be found on the portal.
What are my options if my application is unsuccessful?
You are welcome to apply the following year or try our graduate leadership programme or volunteering.
What happens after I have finished the programme?
Most students will complete their university studies. Individuals are also placed on the Civil Service Fast-track scheme, which means you will be fast tracked to final stages of recruitment if you apply for a Civil Service role. This can be deferred for one year if required.
Where can I find out more about the programme?
To find out more about the programme visit Summer Internship Programme | Civil Service Fast Stream
3. Young Volunteers
Can I volunteer if I’m younger than 18 years old?
Yes, we welcome volunteers of all ages. We risk assess all volunteer roles and occasionally there may be some roles which have levels of responsibility unsuitable for someone under 18.
If you are under 14 you will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
What skills do I need to have to be able to volunteer at Forestry England?
You just need to be able to listen, learn and bring enthusiasm, curiosity and energy.
What tasks will I do as a young volunteer?
You could be working in the forest to improve walking or bike trails, helping with wildlife surveys or carrying out conservation and habitat improvements for nature.
Most volunteer opportunities are open to young people.
Can I complete my Duke of Edinburgh awards while volunteering as a Young Volunteer?
Yes, if there is a suitable volunteer role available.
Which locations can I volunteer as a young volunteer?
Go to the national Forestry England volunteer webpage and use the map search function to look for a forest near you with volunteer opportunities advertised.
What safeguarding is in place to protect volunteers under 18?
All staff managing young or vulnerable volunteers have enhanced DBS checks and undergo safeguarding training. For more information on our safeguarding policy email volunteer@forestryengland.uk.
How do I apply to become a Young Volunteer?
Find a local opportunity by searching the map on the Forestry England volunteer webpage. You'll find an Expression of Interest form link on any local forest volunteer page looking for volunteers.
If you are under 18yrs you'll need an adult's contact details to confirm interest and to sign the form. Once signed-up, a registration link will be sent to you.
Who do I contact if I have more questions about volunteering?
For any volunteering questions email volunteer@forestryengland.uk.
4. Applying for a job at Forestry England
What is the new job portal?
As part of our work to improve the experience of our job applicants, we are trialling a new web recruitment system to replace the Civil Service Jobs system.
The pilot currently covers Forestry England jobs in the central and northern areas of England but we will be adding more areas to it over the next few months. You can still find all jobs on Civil Service Jobs.
Go to the new portal and apply for jobs in central or north England.
Where can I find all current job opportunities at Forestry England?
- Go to Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK.
- Click on "Advanced search".
- On the left-hand side, use the "Department" filter and select "Forestry Commission".
- Refine your search further by using other available filter options.
Do I need to create an account?
You'll need to make an account on Civil Service Jobs. This way, you can also get job alerts that match what you're looking for in your career.
What do I need to submit?
You'll need to send us your CV and a personal statement. Your statement should explain how you meet the job's requirements. Stick to the word limit in the job ad as extra words won't be considered. For more application tips, visit How to Apply | Civil Service Careers.
What selection methods do you use?
We use blind recruitment, which means we remove details like names, age, address, and school names from applications. This helps hiring managers focus on skills and experience to make fair decisions and reduce the impact of bias in the selection process.
What will the application process be like?
The process varies based on the job you apply for. Check the job ad on Civil Service Jobs for specifics.
After the ad closes, the hiring manager reviews applications anonymously. If you're selected, you'll get an interview invite, either in-person or virtual—check the ad details.
You might also do an online assessment. Keep an eye on your email from the Government Recruitment Service (GRS) for details.
We'll inform you of your application's outcome, whether you've passed the assessment/interview or not.
I have passed the interview and received a job offer. What happens now?
Congratulations on your job offer! To accept, log in to your Civil Service Jobs account.
Next, the Government Recruitment Service (GRS) will contact you to start pre-employment checks. These include Right to Work, Disclosure and Barring Service Basic, employment history, and references. Additional checks may apply based on your role. Once done, our HR Team will email your employment documents and checklists. Please complete and return them promptly.
For any queries about your first day or arrangements, feel free to contact your new manager.
5. Success Profiles
What are Success Profiles?
In our Civil Service department, we use Success Profiles when hiring.
Success Profiles help us match skills for each role by considering what's needed for success. In job postings, we list the specific elements we assess. This fair and inclusive approach looks beyond work experience to find the right person based on motivations and interests.
To learn more about Success Profiles, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles.
What are the five elements of Success Profiles, and what do they mean?
- Ability – the aptitude or potential to perform to the required standard.
- Technical – the demonstration of specific professional skills, knowledge or qualifications.
- Behaviours – the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job.
- Strengths – the things we do regularly, do well and that motivate us.
- Experience - the knowledge or mastery of an activity or subject gained through involvement in or exposure to it.
How will the elements be assessed during my application?
We use different methods to assess candidates based on the role and level you're applying for. These methods help us accurately match people to job requirements. For instance, you might fill out an application form or provide a CV and statement to show your experiences, skills, and behaviours.
You could also attend an assessment centre or take an online test to evaluate your abilities. Usually, we use a mix of these methods, testing multiple aspects. Details about what we assess and how are in the job advert before you apply.
6. Diversity and inclusion
What is Forestry England’s position on diversity and inclusion?
At Forestry England, we aim to reflect the diversity of Britain's communities in our team. We believe in strength through diversity and inclusion, knowing it makes us a better business.
We value each person in our team and strive to help them achieve their best. To see how we fulfil legal obligations, promote equality and diversity, and ensure accessible forests, visit Equality and diversity - Forestry Commission - GOV.UK.
Can I apply if I have a disability?
We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. We'll make necessary adjustments whenever we can to ensure everyone can take part in our hiring process.
If you have a disability covered by the Equality Act 2010 and meet the essential criteria for a job, you're guaranteed an interview through the Disability Confident scheme when applying with us.
I have a disability. Are you offering adjustments to the interview process?
If someone with disabilities faces challenges compared to someone without disabilities, we're committed to making reasonable adjustments to our processes.
- if you need a change to the application process to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service at FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
- if you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on the advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Are you considering applications from minority backgrounds?
We're eager for applications from diverse backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, to better mirror the communities we support.
7. Understanding pay bands
What are the Forestry England pay bands and how do they compare to the Civil Services organisation’s?
The table below shows Forestry England pay bands and how they align with Civil Service pay bands.
| Forestry England | Civil Service |
|---|---|
| PB1 | G6 |
| PB2 | G7 |
| PB3 | SEO |
| PB4 | HEO |
| PB5 / PB5 Op | EO |
| PB6a / PB6a Op | AO |
| PB6b | AO |
| PB7 | AA |
Learn more about Forestry England careers and search jobs at our main careers page.