Fundamentals of Forestry Program

The future of the coastal forest sector is bright and career opportunities in forestry look promising. Working in the harvesting sector of the forestry industry provides you the opportunity to work outside in some of the most beautiful terrain in the world. By working in a harvesting environment you become an important part of a team tasked with moving wood from the hillside to the end customer. This can involve roles in road building, falling yarding, and transportation.

Program Outline

The program consists of a combination of classroom and hands on training led by an instructor with over 10 years of coastal harvesting experience. It covers areas including:

  • Essential and employability skills
  • Forestry Operations in British Columbia
  • Safe work practices used in forestry
  • Communication in the forestry environment
  • Hazards found in the forestry environment
  • Basic rigging practices and components
  • Documentation required in forestry
  • Emergency Response Plan and First Aid requirements
  • Ergonomics related to the job
  • Attributes required in the forestry industry

In addition students will complete training in:

  • WHMIS
  • Fall Protection
  • S-100 – Fire Suppression and Safety
  • Level 1 First Aid with Transportation Endorsement

You will learn to identify and assess hazards, communicate and move safely as you set chokers on logs, rig stumps, buck logs and work safely around equipment. You will leave the program confident and ready for an entry level logging position.

Career Opportunities

Once you have successfully completed the program you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Vancouver Island University. This certificate will demonstrate to potential employers that you have a solid base knowledge of the requirements needed to work safely and productively in an entry level logging position. Once you are hired you will continue to learn from your peers, and receive on-the-job training and mentoring to help you become fully competent in a specific position. Examples of jobs you can grow into during your career in harvesting includes the following:

  • BC Forest Safety Qualified Fallers
  • Truck Drivers
  • Hook Tender
  • Grapple Yarder Operator
  • Hoe Chucker
  • Log Load Operator

The program content is based on competencies identified by the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC). These competencies were identified in consultation with industry subject matter experts and include the key skills, knowledge and attributes required for entry-level workers to have a strong safety philosophy and be successful.

Our next in-person info sessions are:

πŸ“Campbell River: Tues, Jan.30th, 6:30pm (Community Centre Rm 2)
πŸ“Port Hardy: Wed, Jan.31st, 6:30pm (Port Hardy Secondary School)
πŸ“Port McNeill: Thurs, Feb.1st, 6:30pm (Port McNeill Community Hall)

Program Details

Program Length: 12 weeks
Location: Woss, BC
Cost: Full Tuition sponsorship is available for successful candidates
(Housing options are available in Woss)

Current Semester
Start Date: April 2nd, 2024

Students can obtain an Application for Admission Form on request by emailing heo@viu.caΒ Β or online at www.viu.ca/apply/

You are required to submit your resume with your application.

Once your application has been received and reviewed, you will contacted to complete an Assessment Tool. The Assessment Tool consists of Mathematics, Reading Comprehension and Combined Reasoning. You will also Complete a Personal Profile at this time. After completing the Assessment Tool, you will be contacted to attend a 30-minute interview. Shortly after that, you will be notified if you have been admitted to the program.

For more information, contact us:
Phone: 250.740.6227
Toll Free 1.888.920.2221
Email:Β heo@viu.caΒ 

Or go to this link for all the course details:

https://www.viu.ca/…/fundamentals-forest-harvesting…Β