Our work
What is the Forestry Workforce Census, Great Britain?
Forest Research, on behalf of the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry, and Welsh Government, is launching a Forestry Workforce Census. It aims to better understand what the forestry operations workforce in Great Britain looks like today.
The Census will capture the size of the workforce and the scale of forestry operations. Accurate and up-to-date information on the size and make-up of the forestry workforce will help the sector to plan for the future, identifying skills gaps and helping put in place measures to maximise forestry’s potential.
Who are we asking to submit information and when?
Organisations across the forestry sector are being asked to submit information about their workforce on two separate dates – on 1 October 2026 and 1 March 2027 – to account for roles that are seasonal.
Organisations will have a month after these dates to complete the questionnaire about who was working on that specific date. If an individual is working on both the 1 October 2026 and the 1 March 2027 they should be counted on both census days.
Participation is voluntary.
Every organisation, from those with just one person to larger companies with many people and sub-organisations, whether employed and/or contracted, are invited to take part.
Who should take part:
- Companies with just one individual, like sole traders and single-person organisations, right through to larger organisations
Who should not take part:
- Individuals employed by an organisation. The survey is aimed at employers rather than employees. Senior decision makers, like CEOs and HR directors should complete the survey on your behalf.
What will the Forestry Workforce Census cover?
The Census will capture information about people that work (employed, contracted or other) on the following activities for forestry operations:
- planning
- tree production/nursery operations
- ground preparation, planting, establishment or maintenance
- managing woodland and/or managing people working on woodland
- harvesting
- extracting timber and haulage
- surveying and inventory work.
Going forward, the Census will take place every five years. Results from the Census will be made publicly available.
Sign up for an email alert
To receive a reminder ahead of the Census going live in October and March, sign up to the Forest Research mailing list.
How does my organisation take part?
1. Prepare
Between now and 1 October 2026 and 1 March 2027, you can plan how to collect the following information about your workforce (data submitted needs to reflect the picture in your organisation on 1 October and 1 March 2027):
- how many Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) worked on activities related to forest operations
- by role (see the full list below)
- by country of site
- by age group
- by gender
- how many Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) were trainees or apprentices that worked on activities related to forest operations
- what amount of forestry operations were carried out under specific activities (see the full list below) in the last year or a typical year of operation within the last five years
- which roles do you think are the most difficult to source
2. Take Part
On 1 October 2026 and 1 March 2027, the Census will go live.
- Visit this page to complete the questionnaire online
- If you are unable to complete the forms online, please call 0300 067 5238 or email statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk to request a copy of the questionnaire which can be submitted via email
Questionnaires need to be submitted by:
- 30 October 2026
- 31 March 2027
All data provided will be treated in the strictest confidence and will be aggregated with data from other businesses so that it will not be possible to identify an individual business in any publication or other report.
Forestry operations roles
Forest nursery
- Crop technician or manager
- Nursery operative or agency
Planning
- Agent, manager, consultant or forester
- Surveyor
Forest management
- Forest operative or craftsperson
- Coppicing
- Establishment and maintenance
- Fencing
- Planting
- Ground preparation operator
- Forest works manager
- Supervisor
- Agent, manager, consultant or forester
- Wildlife manager, pest controller or stalker
Harvesting (including thinning), extraction and haulage
- Forest operative or craftsperson
- Chainsaw operator (felling)
- Forest works manager
- Supervisor
- Machinery operator
- Harvester
- Forwarder
- Other
- Wagon driver
Other
- Civil engineer
- Community forester
- Drone operator
- Ecologist
- GIS technician
- Historic environment advisor
- Local authority tree officer
- Machinery operators (civil engineering)
Specific activities carried out in the last year or typical year of operation in the last five years
- Nursery tree production [Number of trees]
- Planning [Hectares]
- New planting (including ground preparation and maintenance) [Hectares]
- Restocking [Hectares]
- Woodland area under management (including new woodlands) [Hectares]
- Surveying and inventory work [Hectares]
- Harvesting [Cubic metres]
- Haulage [Tonnes]
Contact us
If you have any queries, please contact us at:
Email: statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk
Tel: 0300 067 5238
