“From the moment I started I knew this job was for me. I just wished I’d known about it 20 years earlier.”

Alan Parkes made a surprising mid-life career change when his job as a supermarket manager was restructured; he put shop work behind him and headed for the bush. “When the supermarket restructured I decided to take a forestry and logging course. I had always been keen on the outdoors and did a lot of fishing and hunting. I had some mates in the logging industry so I thought I’d give it a go.

“I got top marks in the class, and that got me a job with the local forestry company. But instead of giving me a logging job as I expected, they offered me mensuration work. I’d never heard of it before and didn’t know it existed even when I was on my course. But I’ve never looked back since.”

Alan is now a self-employed contractor and works alongside his crew of three. “I do the same work as the others, but when I go home I catch up with all the admin and plan the next day. I look after all the health and safety, organise training and send the data we collect to the forestry company.”

Alan was recently named Contractor of the Year by the forestry company, recognising the quality of work he and his crew produce.

Alan encourages those interested in mensuration work to give it a go. “It takes a while to see if you are cut out for it – you won’t really know until you get into it. But it’s a great job if you like being outdoors. You’ve just got to cope with being out in all types of weather and have a good work ethic.”