As the demand for skilled professionals in the forestry sector continues to grow while the educational system has too low levels, Stora Enso Skog partnered with Brights to build an intensive reskilling program for future forest machine operators based on accelerated learning.
The forest industry is facing an increasing shortage of qualified forest machine operators, a role essential to sustainable forestry and timber production. Today, too few people are being graduated from the educational system to meet the future needs of the sector.
To help bridge this gap, Stora Enso Skog partnered with Brights to design and deliver an accelerated learning reskilling program aimed at preparing new operators for work in modern forestry. The initiative is part of a broader Stora Enso Skog project called "Harvesting Future", focused on securing long-term competence supply in the forestry sector, and equips participants with the technical, practical, and forestry skills needed to thrive in one of Sweden’s most vital industries.
As experts in tailored training and reskilling, Brights led the design, delivery and project management of the 15-week program, developed in close collaboration with Stora Enso Skog, as well as training locations Älvdalens Utbildningscentrum and Södra Viken.
The program combined 11 weeks of intensive training with 4 weeks of hands-on internship at Stora Enso's contractor sites. Participants learned through a mix of:
+ Simulator-based machine operation
+ Practical driving on training grounds and in real forest conditions
+ Core forestry knowledge, including forest ecology, harvesting methods, and safety
Recruitment of participants was conducted in partnership with Academic Work, Brights' sister company, who specialises in identifying and engaging motivated candidates from diverse professional backgrounds to transition into new careers.
In August, 12 participants graduated from the program as forest machine operators - ready to take on important roles in the industry.
The program not only enabled participants to change careers mid-life, but also equipped them with strong theoretical foundations and practical skills.
For Stora Enso Skog, the collaboration has resulted in both newly skilled operators and a training concept that can be repeated and scaled in the future. This success was made possible by Stora Enso Skog's innovative and forward-thinking approach to addressing their skills gaps.
Martina Berg
Managing Director