Females as forest machine operators

Globally, the scarcity of skilled forest machine operators, combined with growing demand for sustainable wood raw materials, has made labor availability a critical challenge. This study examined the participation of females in forest machine operations in Finland through interviews with female operators and with a survey of forest contractors. Our results showed that females remain markedly underrepresented in the forest workforce, accounting for only 1.6%–2.0% of operators in 2024. Female operators expressed high satisfaction with their career choice, while contractors generally supported the idea of employing females and recognized gender equality as vital for sectoral development. Yet, barriers persist. Both groups highlighted limited encouragement in schools, insufficient knowledge about the profession, and misconceptions about the work. Female operators reported prejudice, belittlement, and difficulties in balancing long shifts with family life. Contractors emphasized the challenges related to parental leave, particularly in small firms with scarce resources. Key solutions included strengthening school outreach programs when students decide on their occupational education, targeted visits to forest companies, and increasing the media visibility of female operators. Both operators and contractors stressed the importance of presenting forestry work realistically yet positively, emphasizing the independence of the work, the advanced technology used, and a connection to nature. Expanding females’ participation is not only an issue of equality but is also essential to secure the future labor supply and competitiveness in the forestry sector.