Name: Francis Hewitson

County: Donegal

Current position: Full time Timber Forwarder Operator and Chainsaw Operator

I completed the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Forestry at Teagasc Ballyhaise College, Co. Cavan. The practical aspects of the course were very important to me as they taught me the key skills that would be required on the ground in the forest and I have found that I am using almost all of these skills regularly in my career. The forwarder

simulator was also an important aspect of the course for me as it was a big help in securing the machine driving job which I continue to do now.

I enjoy the practical aspect of my job and the challenges that it presents, every site is different and offers new challenges which always grants new learning opportunities. I intend in future to progress into the timber Harvester which adds a lot more responsibility to my job.

If I was to give advice to anyone looking at forestry for a career I would say that there’s a lot to learn when you start out, it’s a large learning curve but it’s a very interesting industry to learn in as it’s always changing and offering new opportunities

Teagasc