| Explanation of land based careers
Trees are managed for many differing reasons, from developing
recreation and conservation opportunities, managing and expanding
a raw material source, and providing an alternative to other forms
of land use.
The industry can be broadly subdivided into three sectors – Forestry,
Timber and Arboriculture.
Forestry is the science and practice of managing forests and woodlands,
and covers everything from crating and tending, to small broad-leaved
and community forests, to planting and managing large coniferous
forests, raising young trees in nurseries and delivering timber
to wood-using industries. Activities include thinning and felling
of trees using chainsaws or harvesting machines, toad building and
fencing.
Timber processing involves timber marking, measurement, despatch,
sawing timber, cutting out, and preparing other woodland produce
and transportation.
Arboriculture can involve the planting, care, and maintenance
of trees and woodlands primarily for the conservation of rural landscapes
and the urban environment, and shares many skills with forestry.
Greenwood Trades include many traditional crafts such as coppicing
and charcoal production.
- Employment in Forestry, Arboriculture, and wood processing
in the UK is around 45,000 people.
- Approximately 33,000 people are employed in forestry and wood
processing industries.
- Arboriculture employs an estimated 10,000 workers in the private
sector, and additionally Local Authorities in a range of posts
covering urban and amenity trees; relevant legislation and planning,
and woodland management employ some 2,000.
Jobs Include:
Forestry Workers
Arboriculturalists
Woodsman
Chainsaw Operators
Planting
Sawmill Workers
Conservation Management
Greenwood Trades
Arborists
Climbers
Groundsmen
Tree Surgeon
Climbing Arborists
Tree Surveyor
The animal care industry is one of the most fulfilling roles
within the land-based sector, offering opportunities to work in
veterinary practices, kennels or catteries, through to pet shops,
zoos, wildlife parks and animal welfare charities. Work in this
industry covers the health, welfare, handling, and supervision of
a wide variety of animal types. Whether an animal is being kept
as a pet or forms part of a collection, they all need the skilled
attention of devoted and well-trained people to ensure their well
being.
- There are around 14,000 businesses employing 55,000 people.
- 40% of the workforce is self-employed.
- 52% of businesses are sole proprietor.
- 8% are charities or local government.
Workforce Characteristics
- Female dominated workforce at 75% of employees.
- 30% of employees work part-time.
- 30% of businesses employ casual staff.
- 16% of the workforce is over 55 years of age.
- 22% of the workforce is aged 16-24 years.
Jobs Include:
Kennel and Cattery Workers
Pet Carers
Vet Nurses
Dog Trainers
Animal Wardens
Animal Welfare Officers
Pet Shop Assistants
Horticultural encompasses a wide range of business sectors,
from crop, vegetable, and fruit production to gardening, nurseries,
and retail.
- There are approximately 13,000 horticultural businesses employing
70,000 workers.
- Businesses range in size from small private nurseries employing
two or three people to large production organisations employing
hundreds of people in different locations.
- 31% of the workforce is self-employed.
- 40% of businesses are sole proprietors.
- Over a quarter of the workforce work part-time.
- 42% of businesses employ casual staff.
- 21% of the workforce is over 55 years of age.
Horticulture is a huge growth industry offering a wide variety
of job types demanding practical, technical, creative, and business
skills in areas that are exciting, constantly changing, and highly
specialised. Producing plants commercially to the highest quality
using the latest techniques for gardeners, growing perfect produce
for supermarkets, designing and working in some of the best gardens
in the world to getting Wembley ready for a cup final are all part
of the huge world of horticulture.
Sectors Include:
Commercial Horticulture
Amenity Horticulture
Parks and Gardens
Landscape Design and Architecture
Nursery and Garden Centre Management
Plant Propagation
Research
Journalism
Jobs Include:
Fruit Pickers
Vegetable Pickers
Gardeners
Growers
Nursery Workers
Horticultural Workers
Seasonal Workers
Grounds Maintenance
Landscapers
Park Keepers
Garden Centre / Nursery Manager
Research Workers
Arborists
Garden Designer
Salad Grower
Fruit Grower
Food Technologist
Agricultural crop production (principally arable farming)
and related agricultural contracting business, including mixed farms
with both crops and livestock, and farms that combine agricultural
and horticultural production covers 18½ million hectares.
- It is currently estimated that there are 60,700 agricultural
crop businesses employing approximately 121,900 people.
- Of those businesses identified it is estimated that 60% are
self-employed, of which 88% of businesses employ 1-5 people.
- There are approximately 40,000 people working as agricultural
contractors.
- Almost 58% of farms employ casual staff.
Workforce Characteristics:
- Male dominated, four men employed to every one woman.
- 22% of permanent staff works part-time.
- About a third of the workforce is over 55 years of age.
Jobs Include:
Tractor Drivers
Combine Drivers
Sprayer Operators
Crop Foreman
Arable Managers
Farm Managers
Crop Walkers
Agronomists
Qualifications Required:
National Vocational Qualification (N.V.Q.)
National Certificate in Agriculture
National Diploma in Agriculture
HNC/HND in Agriculture
BSc in Agriculture
P.A.1 and P.A.2
B.A.S.I.S.
UK Livestock Farming
Agricultural livestock production includes beef, sheep,
dairying, pig and poultry farming, and the production of other livestock
and related agricultural contracting. Many lowland livestock farms
also produce forage crops, and some combine livestock production
with arable or horticulture crops.
- It is estimated that there are 175,000 businesses employing
296,000 people.
- Of those businesses 92% employ 1-5 people.
- 76% of the workforce is self-employed.
- About 59% employ casual staff.
Workforce Characteristics:
- Male dominated, 3 men to every one woman.
- 22% of the workforce is part-time.
- Approximately 32% of the workforce is over 55 years of age.
Jobs Include:
Stockperson
General Farm Worker (G.F.W.)
Pig Person
Shepherd
Lambing Assistant
Poultry Worker
Milker
Relief Herdsperson
Assistant Herdsperson
Cowperson
Herdsperson
Head Herdsperson
Herds Manager
Livestock Foreman
Farm Manager
The equine industry is perhaps one of the most diverse within
the land-based sector, offering opportunities from livery operations
through to thoroughbred racehorse training. Generally, work in this
sector covers the welfare, supervision, and riding of horses. Riding
schools as with livery yards offer opportunities for all, as do
racing yards, breeders, trainers and various other equine related
activities, such as therapeutic riding and charitable events. Horses
represent a major asset for their owners, which need the skilled
attention of devoted and well-trained staff.
There has been a recent upsurge of interest in various forms of
equestrian pursuits, such as horse racing, eventing, and show jumping,
and this is reflected in an increased population of horses.
Business and Employment:
- It is estimated that there are 6,000 businesses currently employing
54,300 people.
- 63% of the workforce is estimated to be self employed.
- 70% of businesses employ 5 or fewer people.
Workforce:
- Female dominated workforce at 75% of employees.
- A quarter of employees work part-time.
- 53% of businesses employ casual staff.
- 23% of the workforce is aged 16-24 years.
Jobs Include:
Grooms
Riders
Stable Hand
Yard Managers
Riding Instructors
Stable Lads
Hunstman
Environmental conservation involves a range of activities from
recycling household waste to habitat management. It does not simply
involve green issues. It is about making the best use of scientific
knowledge to produce solutions that will provide a sustainable environment.
Conservation includes the protection of rural and urban landscapes,
plants and animals, and countryside recreation. It also covers the
conservation, protection, and management of rivers, coastal zones,
and waterways.
Environmental conservation can include local issues such as community
recycling, planning and parks; national issues such as pollution,
roads, areas of outstanding national beauty, and international issues
such as global warming to ensure the earths resources are managed
efficiently.
There are opportunities in a range of organisations from government
departments to the voluntary sector. As environmental conservation
has gained in popularity, competition for jobs has increased. As
a result, many find it invaluable to gain experience through voluntary
work before gaining full-time employment.
Business and Employment:
- It is estimated that there are around 6,000 organisations employing
56,000 and an estimated 200,000volunteers.
- The sector is dominated by the public sector and voluntary organisations,
estimated to account for 4 out of 5 businesses.
Workforce Characteristics:
- Gender balance workforce.
- 29% of those employed work part-time.
- 55% of businesses employ casual staff.
- Only 4% of the workforce is self employed.
- Only 10% of the workforce is estimated to be over the age of 55
years.
Jobs Include:
Conservation Worker
Park Ranger
Conservation Officer
Environmental Manager
Recycling Manager
Habitats Officer
Plant Ecologist
Volunteer Workers
Energy Advisor
Sustainability Consultant
|