This report is part of the “Global student networking and green jobs in the forest sector” project, a capacity development initiative coordinated by the European Forest Institute (EFI) in collaboration with the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO). The study highlights trends in forest-related employment, including green jobs, in seven selected countries: Brazil, China, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, South Africa and the United States of America.
The report also provides insight into how forest-related tertiary education in these countries is addressing these trends, which can be summarised in the following points:
- Employment in “traditional” forestry focused on timber production and logging is on the decline.
- The use of innovative wood-based products is on the rise.
- The importance of environmental services to society for employment is on the rise.
- Job quality in the forest sector remains a challenge.
- A shortage of forest workers is being experienced in countries like Finland and Germany.
- Important knowledge gaps in forest-related employment and education remain.
This analysis was published in October 2021.
More information
Recommended citation:
Owuor, J.A., Giessen, L., Prior L.C., Cilio, D., Bal, T.L., Bernasconi, A., Burns, J., Chen, X., Goldsmith, A. A., Jiacheng, Z., Kallioniemi, M., Kastenholz, E., Larasatie, P., Lehikoinen, A., Lewark, S., Maciel Viana, C., Montero de Oliveira, F.E., Oberholzer, F., Sharik, T.L., Schwärzli, J., Schweinle, J., Viitanen, J., Wästerlund, D., Yovi, E. Y. and Winkel, G. (2021). Trends in forest-related employment and tertiary education: insights from selected key countries around the globe. European Forest Institute (EFI).