Fundamentals of Forest Harvesting Practices

12-week program in Woss, BC

The 2023 program is tuition-free for residents of BC. There is no cost to the student for tuition, housing, or personal protective equipment (PPE). You pay only for your travel costs. 

The value of this exceeds $12,000!

About the program

Want to work outside in some of the most beautiful terrain in the world? With the Fundamentals of Forest Harvesting Practices program you gain the skills and knowledge you need to work safely and sustainably in a harvesting environment.

We worked with industry experts to ensure this program trains you in the key skills to succeed in an entry level logging position. This program has a high graduate employment rate with higher-than-average starting wages in the forestry sector

Led by an instructor with more than 10 years of coastal harvesting experience, the program combines classroom learning and hands-on training.

  • 20% of the program you learn concepts in the classroom
  • 80% of program you are the field applying concepts

This program has a high graduate employment rate with higher-than-average starting wages in the forestry sector.

Earn valuable tickets

During the program you earn industry certification employers are looking for:

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

Program content

During the program, you'll spend many hours in the actual logging operations near the training facility.
You will learn to identify hazards, communicate and move safely on the job. The topics you'll cover include:

  • essential employability skills
  • forestry operations in British Columbia
  • safe work practices used in forestry
  • communication in the forestry environment
  • hazards found in the forest 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
  • chainsaw operation
  • forestry laws and regulations
  • safe operation of light-duty trucks/trailers on resource roads

Upcoming Info Session

Learn about the Fundamentals of Forest Harvesting Practices program, the outcomes and how we are able to offer this at no cost to students. Stay tuned for our next information session on November 1st, 2023, at VIU Nanaimo campus.

Click here for more details

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 are ready for entry-level logging position.

After you're hired, you will continue to learn from your peers and receive on-the-job training and mentoring. Examples of jobs you can grow into during your career in harvesting includes:

  • BC forest safety qualified faller
  • truck driver
  • hook tender
  • grapple yarder operator
  • hoe chucker
  • choker person
  • heli logging
  • utility person
  • rigging/slinger
  • loader operator
  • skidder operator
  • processor operator

Program requirements and application

See Program requirements and application information

Accepting applications now!

Start dates

  • September 5, 2023
  • April 2, 2024

Apply to VIU

Contact Us

Registration Information

For information about registration, please contact:

Helene Viau
Helene.Viau@viu.ca
Phone: 250.753.3245 Ext. 2040

Program Information

For more information about the Fundamentals of Forest Harvesting Practices program, please contact:

Paul Mottershead, Program Chair
Paul.Mottershead@viu.ca