The sector is recruiting, with between 80,000 and 100,000 positions expected to be filled in the forestry sector.

The figure may be dizzying, but it is established nonetheless. “Our career guide, published a month ago, said the forestry industry is hiring between 80,000 and 100,000 people for 2024. And yes, I confirm this, it is huge, but we represent an industry that already employs about 400,000 people. almost twice as much as in the automotive industry,” says proudly Nicolas Jobin, public relations manager of the Union of French Forestry Cooperatives.

Forestry workers or technicians, engineers – there is something here for every taste and for all skill levels, from CAP to BSc+5. “There is a lot of tension in some professions, such as arborist, but also in the whole wood industry. “, continues this enthusiast.

How can we explain this massive recruitment, to say the least? Several elements are obvious. Wood is at the heart of the new environmental policy, both in housing construction and heating, without forgetting the finishing. Moreover, it is a successful sector. Once the wood of the furniture has been recovered from use, it can be used again, for example in boiler rooms. And the announcement in recent days by the President of the Republic of a goal to plant a billion new trees within ten years has brought new attention to this green sector.

Plant new species

“We are environmentally friendly, we are in the transition to green technology, but to succeed we need to use French wood and work locally,” continues Nicolas Jobin. Wood is energy, paper pulp, cardboard, furniture, construction, pallets, packaging and even straw. » Although about 190 species are found throughout France, working in different areas is not always easy. In fact, three million private owners own 75% of the forests, and for the most part they have no maintenance obligations because their plots are too small.

However, wood experts are still on the warpath to imagine the forests of tomorrow. With global warming, we must not only already have sufficient production, but also think about future generations by planting species that can live in 3 or 4 degrees higher temperatures in 2100 and therefore in different soils. Taken together, we have a sector that is looking to hire people en masse.

“If a construction company has woodworking skills, it will survive difficult times and gain market share. It’s not for nothing that carpenters or joiners are so in demand. But above all, it is a sector that has modernized significantly,” explains Roland Griller, representative of the national forest employment center.

“We offer more than 30 different professions”

“There are a lot of technical parts in the machines we use today,” he continues. Companies have invested heavily in improving working conditions, including in sawmills. That is why we support all open days and are looking for people willing to join various training centers. »

Alessandra Negri, markets and corporate social responsibility manager at Le commerce du bois, an association that brings together professionals, be they importers, processors or distributors, confirms the real need for labor. “The tree is growing. It’s a renewable, natural material that stores carbon, and it’s ironic that we struggle to attract it. However, we offer over 30 different careers, from field work to research and development. »

CAP, BEP, professional bachelor’s degree, BTS, licenses and even bachelor’s +5 for engineers are all paths that can lead to a career in the wood industry. All you have to do is find the one that best suits your desires, be it initial training or retraining, or your skills. Demand is high throughout France. No region is looking for people to work in the industry. Therefore, first of all, do not hesitate to try yourself in professions, as sometimes it is possible. Recently, in Bazas (Gironde), a training center offered virtual reality headsets to give candidates a better understanding of the possibilities. The success was immediate.

YOU DECIDE :

Places: www.onisep.fr/metier/decouvert-le-monde-professionnel/filiere-bois/les-metiers-et-l-emploi-dans-la-filiere-bois

Book : Woodworking Technology (3 volumes) by Olivier Hamon and Vincent Roull, 336 pages, €16.90 (each volume), Dunod editions.