Questionnaire Surveys to Students at Forestry College Show Student Trends and Characteristics

This study reports the results of a student survey from FY 2018 to FY 2022 for forestry colleges in Shizuoka,Nagano, Kyoto, and Shimane Prefectures. We clarified the overall trends and characteristics of student attributes,and discuss the future of forestry colleges. Overall colleges, about 90％ of students were male and mainly in their twenties. Most guardians were not engaged in forestry, and families did not own forests. The students graduated from high school general course and knew about the college through their family or teachers. The following characteristics were observed in each college. Shizuoka were in twenties within the prefecture. They knew the college through their teachers. Nagano had a higher percentage of women and those from outside the prefectures. Kyoto had a small number of students in their forties and fifties that it have not seen in other colleges were also found. A high percentage of the students were from other prefectures and had a working experience. They got the college information from the Internet. Shimane were mainly males within the prefecture and high school graduate. As described above, common trends were observed among the colleges, as well as the characteristics of each college. Based on the above, it is important for forestry colleges to conduct student recruitment and educational activities that match the trends and characteristics of students. In addition, forestry colleges are expected to evolve as comprehensive human resource development base for the forestry industry. © 2024 Japanese Forestry Society. All rights reserved.