The RFS Education and Learning Excellence Award recognises those who increase awareness, understanding and skills related to the environment, particularly forestry.
Congratulations go to gold winners, Stomping Grounds Forest School, Gateshead, and we were delighted to receive our silver award for our online learning platform Canopy Learning.
What the Judges had to say:
This programme must be highly commended for its innovation. The industry is struggling to recruit and train. Being able to access free online training for beginners and for those wishing to either make a career change or enhance their current skills is an incentive for progression into forestry-related occupations. The added bonus is that learners can work at their own pace"
This application stood out as its approach has enabled more people to engage with some high-quality on-line training.
Key points
- Free on-line courses including Ancient Woodland Restoration (CPD); Ancient Woodland Restoration (Higher Education) and Ground preparation for Woodland Creation
- More than 2000 registered users in 2022
- Training has connected with students, allied professionals, forestry professional, owners and lay interested members of the public.
It has been a joy to develop Canopy Learning. To be in a position to provide high-quality courses for free means we’ve seen a huge uptake from folk from both the professional forestry and allied sectors, and from small and new woodland owners nationally. Feedback from learners has been particularly great, especially when we hear success stories from small woodland owners who now feel empowered to carry out management they wouldn’t have otherwise. We have two new courses in the pipeline including Forest Management Planning and the new UK Forestry Standard, which we hope will continue the trend to bring more woodlands into high quality management
Carrie Hedges, Training and Development Lead
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