Advanced Certificate

SRUC’s Advanced Certificate Forestry builds on the Certificate in Forestry or relevant work experience. It develops specialist knowledge and skills in general forestry and mechanisation, with core topics including plant identification, chainsaw felling operations, machinery maintenance and repair, and use of GIS/GPS in forestry and treework.

Students learn through a mix of classroom sessions, field trips, and practical training. They work in the woodlands and trees on the college grounds and local estates using specialist machinery and equipment such as forwarders, decay detection software, and modern climbing equipment. The course includes project work and exercises, plus the chance to undertake industry certification in forest machine operations, felling operations, tree climbing, aerial rescue, and aerial cutting.

• Admission to this course is either through the satisfactory completion of the Certificate in Forestry or via direct entry with appropriate experience in other employment sectors.
• Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of 3 National 5s including English, Maths, Geography or a science subject.
• You should be 17 years of age or older to start this course.
• Mature students considering a career change are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants may be invited to attend an interview.

• tree climbers
• machine operators
• site supervisors