Continuing Education for Forest Managers

SUMMARY

Changing community attitudes are leading to a wider acceptance of the need for continuing education. Universities offering professional degree courses have a responsibility for continuing education in the subject-areas covered by their undergraduate curricula, which could be discharged in one or more ways, e.g. short refresher courses to keep practitioners abreast of developing theory and practice, or longer recurrent study programs leading to further formal qualifications. However the responsibility for continuing education must be shared by employing agencies and professional societies. The Institute of Foresters in particular should be concerned with ensuring that adequate opportunities exist for further education of its corporate membership. The needs and likely demands of foresters for continuing education are considered, and suggestions outlined for future developments.