Thirty years a-growing
TEAGASC Ballyhaise College, Co Cavan is celebrating 30 years of forestry training and education with an open day on Thursday.
This is an excellent opportunity to highlight career opportunities in forestry and related environmental areas.
Forestry education and skills training play a critical role with an increasing demand for educated and skilled personnel. This is reflected in the career choices available to the new entrants to the forest industry.
Ballyhaise is the only college in Ireland providing forestry courses to QQI Level 5 and Level 6. It also offers access to further education via a more practical-based Level 5 course.
You can chat to a number of graduates outlining their career paths since finishing college. Waterford Institute of Technology and University College Dublin will be there to provide details of their forestry degree courses.
GMIT, Letterfrack offer courses in furniture design and wood technology. Arboriculture and tree care is yet another career possibility to be explored on the day.
Also present will be Teagasc Forestry Development Department, providing impartial advice to anyone considering forestry or who has already planted; forestry researchers will highlight the importance of on-going scientific research.
State agencies and authorities such as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Forest Service), National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Cavan County Council will offer information relating to forestry, environment and heritage.
You can get find out more about the work of organisations such as the Society of Irish Foresters, Soil Science Society of Ireland, Irish Geological Association and the Beekeeping Society.
Forestry companies, consultants and wood processors will also be present to discuss establishment, harvesting and marketing options.
There will be working demonstrations of mobile sawmilling, tree climbing and pruning, harvesting and extraction. The forestry harvesting simulator will also be in action. Firefighting safety methods and equipment can be seen.
You can enjoy the newly developed woodland walk integrating culture and heritage, and see the college’s agroforestry, mixed woodlands and Christmas trees plots.
Lecturer Marianne Lyons said: “Forestry is not a stand-alone industry and is not just about timber production. In order to have a sustainable resource, the forest industry operates in close cooperation with environmental land use agencies and organisations.
“The demand for sustainable timber and as a source of renewable energy is increasing while providing added environmental value and wider social benefits. Opportunities exist across the sectors for skilled operatives, self-employed contractors and graduates.”
This event is free of charge and opens from 10.0 to 3.0. Contact 049-4338108 or email ballyhaise. college@teagasc.ie for further information.