Green Jobs
New pathways into the sector
Our Green Jobs programme aims to diversifying the sector, engaging people in forestry and environmental roles and putting the sector on the map. We actively promote such roles as an attractive career choice, especially to those who enter the sector through non-traditional routes. In doing this, we are helping to meet future skills demand, addressing issues like recruitment and retention.
The programme aims to address the skills gap in the forestry sector by developing training packages to encourage wider participation and increase awareness of the importance of urban woodland creation and management. We take a person-focused approach and work with individuals in the team to up-skill them, whether to aid them further their careers in the sector, or to benefit them in the wider world of employment.
We work with partner organisations and job and skill agencies across Greater Manchester to create opportunities for people with varying needs and backgrounds.
We have now launched our City of Trees in-house contractor team to provide more job opportunities for those entering our sector. The Urban Forester positions will be responsible for planting thousands of trees across our region each planting season, providing reliable and supported roles for those new to forestry.
Av’s story
From a placement to a full-time Urban Forestry Assistant
Av joined City of Trees on a placement funded by One Manchester in September 2022, joining the team initially for three months. It soon became apparent that Av had a real passion for the work he was doing at City of Trees and so he was made a full-time Urban Foretry Assistant once his placement ended.
Av works across the whole of Greater Manchester, getting his hands dirty by planting 1000’s of trees each planting season. In November 2023, Greater Manchester Combined Authority named Av as a ‘Local Nature Champion’ for his commitment to improving green spaces for people and nature across the region.
“Working as an Urban Forestry Assistant, I have a great sense of achievement because I can see the difference we are making – seeing all the trees I’ve planted thrive in many locations across Greater Manchester.”
Av, Urban Forestry Assistant
