Scholarships aid forestry career path
People watching may be surprised at the wide and diverse range of career options. Debbie Ward, Te Uru Ra¯kau — New Zealand Forest Service
Nine New Zealanders will have the opportunity to take the first steps towards careers in forestry/wood processing with applications now open for the 2022 Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau — Forestry Scholarships.
“It is an exciting time to be studying and working in the forestry and wood processing sector,” said Debbie Ward, Te Uru Rākau — New Zealand Forest Service director business and spatial intelligence.
Three new scholarships, for the Diploma in Forest Management, at Toi Ohomoi Institute of Technology in Rotorua, were available, along with six for the Bachelor of Forestry Science or Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Forest Engineering degrees at the University of Canterbury.
“The scholarships are a pathway to higher-level study, and students will gain the skills, expertise and capabilities the forestry and wood processing sector needs now and into the future,” Ward said.
“Through partnering with industry, students are offered internships over summer so they can put their learning into action and gain practical, hands-on workplace experience.
“We are especially keen to hear from students who are Māori and/or identify as female, as a key focus is to increase diversity among students and the sector workforce.”
Two new videos had also been launched, promoting the scholarship programme and high-level forestry study, featuring current scholarship recipients talking about the programme and the value and benefits they get from studying forestry.
“People watching may be surprised at the wide and diverse range of career options, including science, production management, business and resource management, conservation, engineering, and technology,” she added.
“This is clearly demonstrated when the students talk about the different fields they are studying, their experiences during their internships, and their enthusiasm about their future careers in forestry.
“The NZ Forest Service is proud to be offering the scholarships for next year, as an investment in the future of our people, the forestry and wood processing sector, and our country’s long-term environmental and economic prosperity.”
Applications close on August 15. To see the videos or for more information, go to www.mpi.govt.nz/ forestryscholarships, email mpiforestryscholarships@mpi.govt.nz or phone 0800 008 333.