Forestry sector in Europe hasn’t identified yet a common educational path to get the qualification of “Forestry Operator”, neither a system of mutual recognition of competences. Like is also outlined in the EC communication “A new EU Forest Strategy: for forests and the forest-based sector”, 2013, “A strategy for forests and the forest sector is necessary since there is no common EU forest policy or guiding framework for forest-related issues. “project aims to promote the exchange of good practices and techniques with other European countries in order to improve the level of professionalism and competitiveness of forest workers (at cross-border level), raising knowledge and safety standards of workers as well as the quality of their interventions. The objective is to discuss the possibility to create a standard level of competences and skills of forestry workers, valid across national borders and to work together on joint projects aiming at promoting innovation and professionalism. Debates will be channeled into three levels: technical, legislative and in the field of innovation and sustainability. Technical changes concern the contents of training programmes and skills required to forestry operators. Legislative adaptations are needed to harmonize authorizations to emit diploma and certificate. Though 6 transnational meetings partners will be able to define a common strategy to harmonize training systems and recognition of competences, aiming, on the ther side, to foster innovation and the introduction of sustainable tools. The transnationality of the project will lead to exchange practices and experiences related to sustainable and innovative tools and techniques being attended in each country partner, resulting in an enhancement of their capacities. Furthermore, due to the increased mobility of forestry workers, the internationality of partners is very appreciated, on one side for linking VET schools from different countries and potentially increase students’ mobility, on the other side to compare and align competences on crucial topics.
Addressing the lack of a common strategy for the forestry sector in Europe, the project promoted the exchange of good practices and techniques between European countries regarding the roles of forestry operators, the skills needed for each role and standards for safety procedures. This approach helps to ensure safe and quality operations throughout Europe and to facilitate cooperation between public authorities responsible for the forestry sector and between operators themselves, for example in the case of cross-border operations. The aim of FOREST was to discuss the possibility of creating a standard level of competence and skills for forestry operators, valid across national borders, and to work together on joint projects to promote innovation and professionalism. Considering the increased mobility of workers and volunteers in the event of natural disasters, the project focused on mapping, discussing and exchanging know-how regarding forest management, vocational training and safety standards. Collaboration between transnational partners was essential to compare training systems and link vocational training schools in different countries to increase student mobility and facilitate the comparison and alignment of skills. The overall objective was the development of a sustainable partnership to lay the foundations and further discuss the possibility of creating a common curriculum for forestry workers that is valid and recognised nationally and transnationally. From an international perspective, the aim was also to disseminate information on the social role of forestry workers and their contribution to forest management.
To develop a more inclusive, cohesive and competitive Europe, the recognition of competences and qualifications is essential. Europe is committed to establishing programmes and systems to facilitate the standardisation and mutual recognition of certificates and diplomas in all member states, an important process for both higher education and vocational training. Regarding the forestry sector, a common training pathway to obtain the qualification 'forestry worker' has not yet been identified, nor a system of mutual recognition of competences. This lack was also highlighted in the European Commission's document 'A new EU Forestry Strategy: For Forests and the Forest Sector (2013)', which states that 'a strategy for forests and the forestry sector is necessary as there is no common EU forestry policy or framework for forest-related issues'. At the European level, a profound discrepancy can also be seen in relation to the level of skills required to exercise this profession, as well as the social role of forestry workers in individual countries. The latter aspect is usually linked, on the one hand, to the socio-economic system of the country itself and, on the other, to the value attributed to forest heritage and green resources by the reference society. The example of the Italian context is emblematic. There are no national regulations that precisely frame the profession of forestry operators and forestry workers, so the certification of skills is managed by the individual Region and is only recognised at a local/regional level. Furthermore, in recent years we have witnessed an increase in environmental crises and natural disasters due to climate change. These natural events cause a great mobilisation of forestry workers and volunteers from different regions and countries. In response to this, the presence of a common skills recognition system is more than necessary, especially in terms of safety at work and proper coordination between countries in the case of cross-border interventions.