At the beginning of 2022, the Georgia Forestry Foundation partnered with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia to facilitate a statewide, comprehensive labor study of Georgia’s forestry sector. The research concluded in February 2023 and produced data that will help GFF act on the industry’s current and future health. Review the study’s executive summary below.
Identifying the needs of each of these forestry industry workforce sectors today, all the way up to five years from now.
May – August 2022
August – November, 2022
November 2022 – January 2023
To keep up with increasing turnover and to maintain production, the forestry industry will need approximately
318 new truck drivers annually
(up from 252 annually in 2020)
523 new operators annually
(up from 257 annually in 2020)
Two main occupations in forest land management are forester and forestry technician. Right now, Georgia is experiencing a gap in annual supply in both professions by about 40 people.
From 2021 to 2026, the total employment need rises from about 20,400 to about 21,300. The industry will need to hire 2,514 people annually due to turnover and job growth.
Projected Annual Employment Need for All Primary Mill Occupations, By Region | 2026 →
Read into the context of this labor study, featuring an interview with Rebecca Hunt, Public Service Faculty member in the Workforce and Economic Analysis Unit of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
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