Education and training

In KomSilva, tools for a goal-oriented and efficient discourse with forest owners are being developed. Target groups are stakeholders and organizations who activate and address forest owners. Mostly forestry associations should profit from the project, but also service providers and other stakeholders. Communication with forest owners is a key asset towards mobilization. Existing instruments are being adjusted and new tools like online-training, online-consulting concepts and social media strategies for consulting and communication are being created and already successfully tested.

Existing instruments for approaching forest owners and communicate with them are being investigated and evaluated according to their effectiveness. Thereby, a collaborative approach is being pursued. It comprises an advisory committee with experts from practice and an active involvement via interviews, a large-scale online-survey and workshops. Experiences in activating forest owners and in public relations are being collected and practicable factors of success are being identified. Arguments for the activation of forest owners are being developed to sensitize forestry associations also for the new task fields.

The information sheets of the LWF summarize the latest research findings for practical application. They are of interest for foresters, forest workers, forest owners and interested private persons.

The information sheets of the LWF contributes to a better forest culture and professionalization even in small scale forest ownership structure and is printed and published also in Internet.

Approach in the selected example:
Description of the different options to form a processing chain for the supply of wood chips (harvesting, logging/stocking, chopping, transport), with regard to the kind and the amount of wood available
Instruction for measuring the amount of wood chips based on the estimation of the stock volume
Sustainability: Recommendation to use branches and tree tops for wood chips only dependent of the location à should not be used in locations poor of nutrients. The withdrawal of nutrients can be decreased by debranching and removal of the tree tops à nutrients stay in the ecosystem and growth is maintained. Additionally, the quality of the wood chips increases and revenues can be higher

Training and education center for private and corporate forests and all people interested in the forest
The WBS supports forestry associations in creating their structures and fulfilling their tasks
The WBS is the responsible authority, cross-company training facility and examination location for the apprenticeable profession forester
The WBS is an event location for institutions and federations. Falconers and hunters take their examination there
The WBS is certified for DIN EN ISO 9001 and 14001 as well as OHSAS 18001
All working processes and the content of the education is continuously being improved

An institution like the Bayerische Waldbauernschule is an essential asset to establish an innovative and learning culture in the area of forest owners and association. Furthermore it contributes to more safe and efficient forest operations for the whole area.

The environmental impact of all measures and the security standards suggested in the trainings are constantly being improved and environmentally friendly measures are conveyed to the attendees

RegioHOLZ connects players of the wood and furniture industry targeting the entire value chain. The goal is to create synergies through exchange and cooperation. Furthermore, the network organizes dialogue forums and other events. The team offers expert knowledge and contacts for the entire forestry and wood industry.  The cluster initiative involves around 20 companies from the wood value chain in the region.

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Regular meetings, events, workshops, joint trade fair appearances, networking, information and knowledge transfer, initiation of cooperation’s and collaborative projects, initiatives in education and training

Holzkette Schwarzwald is an association of representatives of the forestry and wood industry as well as communities and individuals. Their goal is to promote the cooperation across various stages of timber products from forest owner to final consumer.%Furthermore, the association is aiming to strengthen the wood sector in general, especially in the Black Forest. At present, the association has 200 members, among them 12 communities: Bonndorf, Breitnau, Eisenbach, Feldberg, Friedenweiler, Hinterzarten, Löffingen, Lenzkirch, St.Märgen, St.Peter, Titisee - Neustadt and Schluchsee.%The association was established based on the EURES study "Standortinitiative Hochschwarzwald" commissioned by the municipalities of Löffingen, Lenzkirch and Titisee-Neustadt in 1996. %In particular, the study highlights the importance of the wood sector to the regional labor market in the Black Forest (24% of the workforce in the Black Forest depends on wood).

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Every 2 years the Holzkette organizes an event called Holztage. This event always take place in a membership community in the Black Forest.
Several information events and expert conventions as well as a fair take place during the Holztage.

Holzforum Allgäu is the only regional organization in the wood industry, in which all members of the value chain are represented: Forest administration and private forest owners, sawmilling industry, cabinetmakers, carpenters, wood construction entrepreneurs and energy specialists as well as architects.
The basic idea of the Holzforum Allgäu is to promote domestic wood and regional products from tree to building. Moreover, a goal is to create new sales opportunities through contacts between the individual sectors. 

Personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value. Holzforum Allgäu is also starting to implement a regional certification of origin to rise the sensitivity for regional products.

In order to strengthen the competitiveness of forestry and timber industry and to promote the use of wood, eleven regional partner institutions founded the regional cluster initiative proHolz Schwarzwald. An important basis for this initiative is the high importance of forest and wood in the Black Forest. In particular, forestry, wood and sawing industry as well as carpentries have a high performance and great potential for innovations. proHolz Schwarzwald provides a information platform for industry members and the public about forestry, wood and timber constructions.

Bringing together regional networks and motivating partners are the key to success. Working on a personal level is the most important key to implement a successful network.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value.

·         Forst und Holz Allgäu-Oberschwaben is a joint project of communities, municipals, companies and planners to strengthen the network along the value chain. It also serves as an informative platform on a regional level.
The top goal is to spread the excitement for wood. Other main goals are:
Secure the usage of wood from local forests and provide wood produced by a sustainable forestry
Working together to promote wood usage in the Allgäu-Oberschwaben region
Increase the benefit by strengthening the regional chain of custody.

The personal contact and trust is the key to improve regional networks successfully.

Accomplishment of several projects along the chain of custody focusing on the regional added value.

IDWOOD aims to promote and foster innovation and competitiveness of SMEs in the wood sector in the SEE area by sharing and transferring technical and organizational know-how to enable local support organizations to address structural deficits of SMEs and enhance innovation potentials.

Inclusion of both, stakeholders and policy makers, is of great importance and beneficial for both. Stakeholders are given the opportunity to strengthen their organizational and technical capacities, to develop new functions, to participate to working groups and to be actively involved in networking activities. Policy makers receive guidelines and advice on support policies to foster sector’s development.

Results of the project are improved capacities of support organisations; transnational cooperation between support organisations, knowledge poles and productive sector; increased information flow towards SMEs; innovation, design and knowledge transferred to SMEs; sustainability of the transnational network/support system and SMEs cooperation after project end; increased knowledge of market opportunities.

The European Forestry and Environmental Skills Council (EFESC) is a membership organization of industry representatives and organisations which manage and monitor the skills and competence certification processes on national level.

Chainsaws are potentially dangerous, so it is important to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to use it. First checking if your training was set up to meet the European Chainsaw Standards, then next level is European Chainsaw Certificates that ensure skills and competences through detailed description of the required qualification for each level. ECC enhance operator mobility and employability throughout Europe, independent of language and country. ECC guarantee traceability of the licensed certificate holder through registration at the National Agency and in the EFESC database.

European minimum standards (ECS) have been developed for different competence levels of chainsaw use.Currently standards are available for the following competence levels:
ECS 1 : chainsaw maintenance and crosscutting
ECS (Tension) : wood under tension (simulated situations)
ECS 2 : basic tree felling
ECS 3 : advanced tree felling
ECS 4 : windblown and damaged trees
ECS (Height): chainsaw use at height (currently being developed)
Based on each of the above ECS competence levels, a formal assessment procedure has been agreed upon. By taking an assessment in an accredited assessment centre, chainsaw users can acquire a European Chainsaw Certificate. Only EFESC accredited assessment centres can issue European Chainsaw Certificates. From 2012 to 31/12/2018, 12.532 certificates were issued at European level.