Vocational Training to Become a Skilled Forestry Worker and a Master Craftsman in Forestry

The practical, manual component of the apprenticeship is learned through active work in an approved training company, while the theoretical component is taught at vocational school.

Responsibilities

The Apprenticeship and Vocational Training Offices of the respective Provincial Chambers of Agriculture are responsible for the training and further education of workers. They also conduct the examinations for skilled forestry workers and master craftspeople in forestry.

Apprenticeship as a Skilled Forestry Worker (and Forest Nursery and Forest Maintenance Worker)

To be admitted to the training programme, applicants must either have reached the minimum age of 15 or have completed compulsory schooling.

The following training options are available to become a skilled forestry worker:

• Completion of a three-year apprenticeship with vocational school

• Follow-on apprenticeship after completing a second apprenticeship

• Skilled forestry worker course (without an apprenticeship contract; second-chance education) after three years of practical experience and reaching the minimum age of 21

The three-year vocational school programme is offered exclusively at the Forestry Training Centre and Provincial Vocational School in Rotholz, Tyrol, for apprentices from all Austrian federal provinces.

Content – Authorisations

The training covers all essential knowledge and skills required to carry out manual and motor-manual tasks in forest regeneration, maintenance and harvesting operations.

Particular emphasis is placed on developing the business management skills of skilled forestry workers.

The apprenticeship concludes with the skilled worker examination, which provides the following authorisations and recognition:

• Admission to master craftsman training

• Admission to the vocational matriculation examination

• Eligibility for various agricultural subsidies

• Reduction of the training period for a further apprenticeship occupation (in agriculture and forestry or in the commercial sector) by at least one year

Vocational Training to Become a Master Craftsman in Forestry

The admission requirements for master craftsman training in forestry are:

• Successful completion of the skilled forestry worker examination

• At least three years of practical professional experience

Master craftsman training includes a preparatory course comprising at least 240 teaching hours. Both practical and theoretical training are offered by the forestry training centres.

The final examination, which entitles graduates to use the title “Master Craftsman in Forestry”, is conducted by the Apprenticeship and Vocational Training Office of the respective federal province.

In addition to this pathway, the professional title “Master Craftsman in Forestry” can also be obtained after seven years of practical experience as a business manager, provided the candidate completes a preparatory course and passes the examination.

Content – Authorisations

Completing master craftsman training in forestry provides the knowledge required to manage and operate a family-owned agricultural and forestry business with professional forestry expertise.

Successful completion of the agricultural and forestry master craftsman examination grants the following entitlements:

• Admission to the vocational matriculation examination

• Upon passing the vocational matriculation examination, general eligibility for university studies, including access to degree programmes at universities of applied sciences and universities