Kildare Student secures inaugural Coillte Forestry Scholarship as 2025 programme launched

A Naas student has just been awarded an inaugural scholarship to Coillte's 2025 Forestry Scholarship Programme.

Mia Sibbald from Naas, Co Kildare – a student in her first semester at South East Technological University (SETU) – has been awarded the scholarship.

Building on the success of its inaugural programme, which saw scholarships being awarded to three students, the scholarship provides substantial financial and career support for students pursuing a full-time, third level forestry programme at University College Dublin (UCD) or South East Technological University (SETU).

Offering up to €20,000 per recipient across their degree, alongside paid summer placements and career opportunities with Coillte, the scholarship was created to address the growing need for skilled professionals to support Ireland’s environmental and economic sustainability.

Among the inaugural scholars are Mia Sibbald from Nass, Co. Kildare, Alex Power from Co. Waterford and Áine O'Dwyer (Donegal) who are now in their first semester at SETU and already benefiting from the programme.

The launch of the 2025 Forestry Scholarship comes amid growing interest in forestry careers, as revealed by a recent RED C survey commissioned by Coillte.

This survey found that 60% of 18–34-year-olds view a career in the forest and wood sector as attractive, with over a quarter of all those surveyed describing it as very attractive.

Furthermore, 57% of women surveyed expressed interest in a career in forestry, highlighting the sector's broadening appeal across diverse demographics.

This growing interest aligns with the industry’s pivotal role in addressing Ireland’s climate and housing challenges, while meeting the increasing demand for sustainable timber.

Public sentiment also strongly supports forestry’s role in addressing these challenges:

• Nearly 70% of RED C survey respondents favour increased timber frame housing, reflecting a rise in support since 2022.

• 80% believe Ireland should be self-sufficient in timber production, with over half strongly agreeing.

The forestry sector is recognised as a key driver of Ireland’s climate action objectives, requiring more than 1,700 skilled professionals by 2030 to meet the ambitions of Ireland’s Forest Strategy.

Launching the 2025 Coillte Forestry Scholarship programme, Mark Carlin, Managing Director of Coillte Forest, said: “Forestry is essential to Ireland’s environmental and economic future, offering diverse careers in a wide variety of areas. With CAO applications now open, we encourage students to consider forestry as a meaningful career that contributes to a greener, more self-sufficient Ireland.”

Carlin added: “Forestry is not just about planting and harvesting trees – it is a dynamic, multifaceted sector.

“There is a wide range of careers available, including planners who use sophisticated information technology to develop strategic forest management plans, ecologists working to protect and enhance biodiversity across our estate, supply-chain managers working to co-ordinate the supply of sustainable wood products, and recreation managers delivering trails and activities for people to enjoy.

“Sustainability is at the heart of forestry today and technological innovation continues to transform the forest sector.”

Speaking about the scholarship’s impact, Naas inaugural scholar Mia Sibbald said: “Being awarded the Coillte scholarship has been transformative for me.

“The financial support is invaluable, but what excites me most is becoming part of a sector that is vital to combating climate change.

“My time at SETU so far has been both inspiring and eye-opening, especially as we delve into sustainable forest management and its role in creating a greener future.”

Applications for the 2025 Coillte Forestry Scholarship Programme are now open and more information can be found online at www.coillte.ie. The closing date for applications is Friday May 2, 2025.