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The forestry industry in New South Wales suffers from a serious skills shortage. The industry has undergone significant restructuring in recent years resulting in the perception that it is in decline but it is one of the few renewable energy resources and has tremendous potential in addressing greenhouse gas emission problems. A new initiative has been launched to attract and retain rural and regional young people in the hope that there will be an increase in trade course enrolments. The courses have been adjusted to be more flexible to enable apprentices to have one day instead of block releases which has also made it less expensive for the student. A new, flexible model, designed with the collaboration of industry, enables apprentices to complete a significant number of competencies within the workplace and at local campuses. This means that both the industry and the student save time and money and gain better training which will reduce the critical skills shortages.