Other names for Forester:

Forest Pathologist
Forest Ranger
Forestry Consultant / Advisor
Forestry Researcher
Silviculturist
Wood Scientist
Wood Technologist

What is a Forester?

Foresters are in demand locally and internationally!

A Forester is a person who specialises in forestry (the science, art, and profession of managing forests).

A Forester’s job is to manage a forestry plantation, staff and its contractors.

Foresters engage in a broad range of activities including timber harvesting, ecological restoration and management of protected areas.

Foresters manage forests to provide a variety of objectives including direct extraction of raw material, outdoor recreation, conservation, hunting and aesthetics.

What does a Forester do?

• supervises fire-fighting crews
• organises replanting after fires
• works to prevent timber damage resulting from insects, diseases, fire and other causes
• works to prevent soil erosion and flood damage
• calculates timber available for harvesting
• keeps up to date with surveys, maps and road-building plans in the area
• manages and protects wildlife
• managse recreational activities like hunting, fishing, camping and hiking in the area
• makes sure regulations and laws are protected
• manages budgets
• maintains good working relations with the local farmers and communities
• meets with staff and contractors
• negotiates the use of common roads and the maintenance thereof

Are you … ?

• a nature lover?
• able to work on your own in remote areas?
• self motivated?
• open minded?
• innovative?
• able to negotiate?
• decisive?
• able to manage staff and contractors?
• able to apply the law?

How do I become a Forester?

To become a Forester you have to have a National Diploma (Forestry), B Tech (Forestry) and/or Bachelor of Science degree (Forestry) and/or Business Degree.  

To head up a forest, years of working experience in this area are an added advantage.

‘Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) graduates have enjoyed 100% placement for many years, even during the economic slowdown, according to Ms Alet van Tonder, Marketing and Corporate Relations Manager at the George Campus.’ – SA Forestry Magazine

• BURSARIES

• SA FORESTRY MAGAZINE

Offers more details with regarding training institutions.  They are only a guide, so be sure to check with your institution of choice for their details and minimum requirements.

• FORT COX COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

Fort Cox academic programmes received full accreditation from CHE.

PATH 1

National Diploma in Forestry

PATH 2

Relevant Diploma

Bachelor of Technology in Forestry / Wood Technology

PATH 3

Bachelor of Science in Forestry 

PATH 3

Relevant SACNASP Recognised Honours Qualification 

Workplace Experience 

Registration with SACNASP

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Wood Scientist … or … Wind-Energy Developer  

Is becoming a Forester the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 213203

Other names for Wood Scientist:

Forester
Forest Pathologist
Forest Ranger
Forestry Consultant / Advisor
Forestry Researcher
Silviculturist
Wood Technologist

What is a Wood Scientist?

A Wood Scientist studies the physical, chemical and biological properties of wood to find ways of processing the raw material into different products such as pulp, paper, construction timber and into products such as chipboard, fibre board and laminated beams.

Wood is a renewable but expensive commodity and Wood Scientists find ways to use every scrap of the raw material.

Chipboard was invented when people noticed piles of sawdust going to waste at sawmills. Wood Scientists ‘invented’ a new type of wood by mixing the sawdust with modern wood glues, making sure nothing went to waste.

Paper is a vital part of the modern world and all our lives. Can you imagine a life without paper or cardboard? Wood Scientists use their skills and training to find new ways and processes to produce paper-based products.

They also work in other fields such as primary processing (timber treating), plywood manufacture, fibre and particle board manufacture and saw-milling, secondary processing (furniture, joinery, building and timber construction) and other (research, marketing, labour and training).

What does a Wood Scientist do?

• finds raw materials – mostly timber
• prepares, stores and controls of raw materials
• converts raw materials in a cost-effective way into products that can be sold
• stores and controls finished products
• markets different products
• manages staff, as well as, costs, product quality and safety
• maintains equipment
• provides in-service training
• carries out scientific and industrial research

Are you … ?

• interested in raw materials like wood?
• scientifically astute?
• good at mathematics?
• a creative thinker?
• organised?
• a good communicator?
• observant?

How do I become a Wood Scientist?

• STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

Offers a Bachelor of Science degree BSc Wood Science

Another way to approach this career is to do a Bachelor of Engineering  – BEng (Chemical Engineering) with special emphasis on pulp and paper subjects from the third year.

Most universities offer a BSc Eng (Chemical) but only some offer the specialisation.

Check your local institution about their programmes.

PATH 1

National Diploma in Forestry

PATH 2

Relevant Diploma

Bachelor of Technology in Forestry / Wood Technology

PATH 3

Bachelor of Science in Forestry 

• University of KZN

University of Stellenbosch

PATH 3

Relevant SACNASP Recognised Honours Qualification 

Workplace Experience 

Registration with SACNASP

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Forester … or … Aboriculturist

Is becoming a Wood Scientist the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 213203

Other names for Wood Technologist:

Forester
Forest Pathologist
Forest Ranger
Forestry Consultant / Advisor
Forestry Researcher
Silviculturist
Wood Scientist

What is a Wood Technologist?

A Wood Technologist uses their practical and academic knowledge of timber and timber processing technology to make sure the change of raw (forest) timber to saleable products such as plywood, particle board or paper, meets quality standards.

Wood Technologists are trained to function as line managers in saw mills, timber processing plants or in paper manufacturers.

What does a Wood Technologist do?

• obtains timber
• prepares, stores and controls raw materials in an efficient and cost-effective way
• transports timber to the processing plant
• stores finished products
• markets and advertises
• manages and trains staff
• prepares budgets, maintains costs and quality control
• adheres to plant safety rules and regulations
• maintains equipment
• keeps up to date with research for the company

Are you … ?

• interested in wood and trees?
• technically minded?
• scientifically astute?
• good a mathematics?
• able to manage people?
• organised?

How do I become a Wood Technologist?

• DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Offers a 3 year – National Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology

• NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Offers a National Diploma and BTech in Wood Technology

Check with your institution of choice for their admission requirements as they could differ from one to another.

PATH 1

National Diploma in Forestry

PATH 2

Relevant Diploma

Bachelor of Technology in Forestry / Wood Technology

PATH 3

Bachelor of Science in Forestry 

• University of KZN
• University of Stellenbosch

PATH 3

Relevant SACNASP Recognised Honours Qualification 

Workplace Experience 

Registration with SACNASP

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Wood Scientist … or … Carpenter

Is becoming a Wood Technologist the right career choice for me?