– It’s hard work, but it’s actually quite fun. That’s what 16-year-old Agathe Sektnan Bakli from Sør-Odal says. She has plans to take over the family farm – and the forest that belongs to it. That is why she chose to apply for a summer job in the forest this year. She is not alone in that. Since 2019, young people between the ages of 15 and 25 have had the opportunity to get a summer job in forestry through the “JOBU” project. Now the project can be the solution to the recruitment problems in the industry. Struggling with recruitment Lars Erik Rønningen at Skogselskapet Hedmark says that the forest industry is struggling to recruit people. Positions in the industry have been advertised up to several times to find employees. HAPPY: Lars Erik Rønningen at the Forestry Company believes the project has produced fantastic results. Photo: Stein S Eide / news – We are struggling to have enough people. When we advertise jobs, there are not as many applicants as one would wish there were to choose from, he says. In particular, they struggle to get young applicants. Both generational change and the fact that forestry is an untrendy field of study are pointed out. – We see that it is not just here that we have problems with recruitment – it applies to all of Norway, says Rønningen. That is why he helped start the project “JOBU” four years ago. It has been a great success. Will it be a national initiative Rønningen says that they recruit between 30 and 40 per cent of the participants to go on to forestry education or a natural farming school. – It is an absolutely fantastic result. Therefore, the successful project from Innlandet is now being used as a national recruitment initiative for the entire industry. This is extended to a number of counties from Trøndelag to Telemark, and this year there were 476 applicants for 137 jobs. CLEARING: The young people can try their hand at both thinning and clearing with a chainsaw. Photo: Stein S Eide / news Part of the project is that it is the forest owners and the municipalities who help pay the wages of the young people. The head of forestry in Stor-Elvdal, John Olav Sundli, believes that it can be a good investment for the future of the forest municipality. – We believe it is important to recruit, and at a young age. Many are on their way to choosing further education. And then they have to get this here, which gives them the opportunity to go ahead with forestry, he believes. INVESTMENT: John Olav Sundli in Stor-Elvdal municipality believes the project shows young people what the forestry industry actually is. Photo: Stein S Eide / news The forest manager in Romedal and Stange commons, Kent Ove Moren, also supports this. – I think this is very good, because then we get to see what the forestry industry is all about, he says. – Tough work Agathe Sektnan Bakli is one of several young people who are now in full swing in the forest. Despite the fact that it is hard work, she is happy that she got the summer job. – The whole thing is just funny. Using a clearing saw and learning different techniques, she says. TRAINING: All the young people who have a summer job receive, among other things, training about and in forestry. Photo: Stein S Eide / news Peder Hagen (15) from Elverum has already had a summer job in the forest in the past. – I have been planting forests for two years, and now want to take it a little further, he says. And a future in forestry is not impossible for him. – It seems fun and exciting to drive in the forest and that you can be outside. Enjoy what you like to do. So it seems interesting, he says. INTERESTING: Peder Hagen does not rule out that he wants a job in the forestry industry in the future. Photo: Stein S Eide / news
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Summer job project from Innlandet is used as an investment by the entire forest industry – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
