Woodland Skills (6 months – part time)

Course: Woodland Skills
Duration: 6 Months; starts Wednesday 3rd October 2012
Days: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10.00am till 4.00pm.
Location: Cwm Plysgog Woods, Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire.

This is a unique opportunity for hands-on learning, which spans the entire coppice season. Not quite the apprenticeships of old, but nevertheless a comprehensive insight into the traditional craft of coppice work.

This course is ideal for:

• Woodland owners, farmers and their staff
• Park rangers
• Crafts people.
• Unemployed people and school leavers in rural areas looking for alternative employment opportunities.
• Anyone with an interest in traditional rural skills using hand tools.
• Anyone interested in reducing their carbon footprint, preserving the natural environment and improving habitat.

What does the course cover?

The aim of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to manage a coppice wood and by learning basic craft skills, have the potential to gain a part of their income from woodland. Students will also learn how to lay a hedge which will offer other rural employment opportunities.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about and experience a variety of traditional skills, including:.

This is a practical course and the student group will be expected to cut a coppice plot during their time at Cwm Plysgog. Students must be prepared to undertake physical, outdoor work during winter . A workshop/classroom with a wood burner is provided for breaktimes and during very bad weather, where class based learning can be helpful. There is also a compost toilet.

For full details of the curriculum please contact us.

How much will it cost me?

The full course fee is £1900.00. However there may be some funding available and we are able to negotiate payment plans with students and occasionally we have some funds we can use to assist in some cases

What qualifications can I achieve?

Due to the Unique nature of this course, the college is developing its own certification which we hope in time will gain prominence and become an accepted standard in the market.

What prospects will the course open up for me?

The practical application of the knowledge gained on this course, will give students the confidence to seek work in rural areas. There is an increasing demand from planning and national park authorities to persuade landowners to return to the traditional look of the landscape. To this end landowners are offered grants to carry out this work giving opportunity to suitably skilled people.

There is also opportunity for students to progress with their work into other areas of rural crafts such as green wood working, living willow sculpture and many other craft activities.

The school networks with many other organisations that offer information and assistance in these areas.

Landowners themselves may wish to attend all or part of this course to learn of the many benefits that traditional methods of working woodland can offer them.

How do I apply?

Applications are welcome from anyone aged 16 and over. (Presently limited to English speakers only).

Contact the college secretary via email, mail or by telephone.

The Secretary
Coppicewood College
Maes Y Mor
Moylegrove
SA43 3BU

01239 881394

There is a returnable deposit of £100 on confirmation of your place, which will be deducted from the course fee.

Want to discuss the course before committing?

Why not arrange to come on a Wednesday and meet the Instructors and the Trustees. You would also be welcome to join in the activities with our volunteers.
Or just ring us on 01239 881394.

Accommodation?

There is plenty of local accommodation during the winter months.
We have local knowlege which may be of help so do contact us first.