Scottish Forestry - corporate plan: consultation analysis

Equality and Diversity

Question: Are there any actions we should consider in relation to our outcomes and activities to ensure we are inclusive and advancing opportunities for people from different equality groups or for people from different socio-economic backgrounds?

21 people either replied ‘no’ or ‘no comment’ to these sections. However, some feedback was obtained on a number of different themes. This is summarised below

• Raising awareness of equality and diversity issues in industry: Some of the comments received make it clear that raising awareness of equality and diversity issues within the industry will be important to address negative attitudes and diversity imbalance.
• Urban forestry: Recognise the urban/rural divide, and target inner city areas and deprived communities. Identify opportunities close to deprived areas for green space and woodland development on vacant and derelict land/brownfield sites/post industrial land.
• Engagement: Fund engagement with BME and youth groups. Prioritise the social forestry programme, and appoint a Head of Social Forestry. Provide free activities with positive outcomes, such as activities, experiences and learning throughout the seasons, using the growing interest in hutting and foraging. Consider how place-making and well-managed ad accessible woodland can link with Scottish Government health and wellbeing priorities and objectives.
• As an employer: Mentoring and apprenticeship schemes to enable older foresters to pass on their knowledge and skills to younger workers. Build a strong, positive reputation as an employer, with targeted communication of our vision and benefits to particular communities. Consider our accessibility as an employer, in terms of personal and general mobility. Ensure fair contracts, wages and conditions within organisation, through funded activities, and across industry. Make it a more welcoming profession for women. Support employability initiatives in disadvantaged areas that promote opportunities to work or volunteer in forestry and woodland maintenance. Encourage staff to volunteer for/engage with STEM initiatives to promote the diversity of skills required within the modern trees and timber sector. Set up peer group role modelling initiatives to advancing opportunities for protected characteristic groups.