Location: Talgarth
Study Time: 3 days per week
Course Length: 1 year from September to July
Minimum Age: 16 years old (no maximum age)
Equipment Requirements: Warm waterproof clothing and shoes for working outdoors, and chainsaw safe trousers, boots, helmet, and gloves.
Our Level 3 NVQ in Coppicing & Greenwood Trades is designed for those looking to deepen their skills in traditional woodland management and sustainable forestry. Combining practical expertise with national industry-recognised qualifications, this course also includes a Level 3 Certificate in Forestry and Arboriculture as an additional qualification to offer a well-rounded education in sustainable woodland conservation.
You will need to have your basic chainsaw certification and some prior experience to study this course. Don’t have this? Try our Level 2 qualification instead to obtain this first!
What will I learn?
With an emphasis on sustainability, health & safety, and ecological responsibility, this course equips you with the skills to maintain productive woodlands, craft high-quality greenwood products, manage natural habitats effectively, whilst learning heritage hedge-laying techniques, and forestry business skills.
Whether you're pursuing a career in forestry, conservation, or traditional rural crafts, this qualification provides the knowledge, hands-on training, and practical experience needed to thrive.
The qualification is made up of practical modules covering everything from coppice restoration and woodland management to product creation and market evaluation.
You will cover the following units:
- Maintain coppice health and productivity
- Health & safety in forestry
- Plan and evaluate coppice management
- Develop a woodland management plan
- Construct a greenwood product to client specification
- Lay a hedge
- Evaluate markets and trends for the sale of forest and woodland products and services
- Understanding woodland habitat management
- Identify the signs of pests and diseases of trees
- Understand and carry out forest and woodland skills
Why study Coppicing & Greenwood Trades?
You will study in beautiful and unique woodland settings. This course is ideal for students who want to deepen their current knowledge & experience of working in forestry while opening doors to further study and employment opportunities.
No exams - you will generally be assessed via practical observations and oral tests.
After this course, students may be able to:
- Progress to Level 4 and above qualifications in Coppicing or Forestry
- Use this qualification towards entry to the BMC undergraduate course
- Work as a Coppice Worker, Arboricultural Officer, Woodland Manager, Conservation Ranger, Estate Worker, Tree Surgeon, Surveyor, or Craftsperson.
- Go down the business route and start a career in timber & woodland product sales
- Set up your own businesses in coppicing, greenwood crafts, woodland consultancy, or tree surgery.
This recognised qualification opens doors to careers or further study in forestry, conservation, rural crafts, and arboriculture, with opportunities to work for forestry companies, conservation organisations, local councils, national parks, estates, environmental charities, or as a self-employed professional.
Applications for a September 2025 start are now open! Apply early via our website to secure your spot. You will need to complete a short interview with our friendly team.