Interreg

The project “Qualification in forest work and landscape management – safe, mobile and sustainable” has made an important contribution to the cross-border harmonisation of training and qualification standards in forestry. By focused exchange of experience and knowledge, the Forestry Education Centre (FBZ) of the Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW and the IPC Groene Ruimte have worked closely together to promote uniform qualification procedures within the framework of the European Chainsaw Certificate (ECC) and to facilitate access to the ECC.

Forest service providers, forest- and landowners or training centres from the Euregio Rhein-Waal area were invited to discuss needs for qualification, certificates and their mutual recognition in forestry and landscape management. Barriers to cross-border mobility of service providers and workers were evaluated in several workshops, requirements for certificates in the respective neighbouring country assessed. The increasing demand for skilled workers in the forestry sector in the Euregio and beyond was presented in the context of a potential analysis.

Forestry and landscape management are currently facing new challenges. Under conditions of climate change, the environmental services provided by forests are playing an important role. Forest functions as CO2 storage, biodiversity reservoir or health care require new competences. At the same time efficient forest management and wood production are increasingly determined by new technologies (sensor-controlled and automated processes). These diverse challenges result in new demands on the knowledge and competence of employees, and thus on their training and further education. Quality, safety and ergonomics play an important role in the still dangerous forest work of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Within the framework of the project, innovative multilingual training programs were developed across borders to facilitate access to the ECC for various target groups. A common online-learning-platform was set up, including the creation of comprehensive content and continuous monitoring and optimisation. The partners attached particular importance to the production of visual media, including VR (Virtual Reality) trainings on the basis of 360° films. Self-tests have proven to be particularly popular with users and present an efficient tool to boost learning performances. Through the project, innovative media are now available which help to sensitize trainees to the dangers of motor-manual felling, thus complementing the traditional face-to-face learning experience. All project activities were regularly exchanged with the European Forestry and Environmental Skills Council (EFESC).

Improved access to European qualification standards has a positive effect on the development of businesses on both sides of the border. Boosting competence reduces sick-leave and helps to improve the quality and efficiency of work.

The project was financed under the Interreg V A programme by the Province of Gelderland, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWEIMH), the Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW and the IPC Groene Ruimte.

For further information please contact:

Roland Tromp
E-Mail: r.tromp@ipcgroen.nl

or

Thomas Heimann
E-Mail: Thomas.Heimann@wald-und-holz.nrw.de