Forestry skills, including chainsaw operation, are being offered in an employment certification training program being offered in Nanaimo. (Stock photo)

B.C. government partners on advanced forestry skills training program in Nanaimo

Training offered in first aid, chainsaw operation, fire suppression and pesticide application

  • Feb. 7, 2021 12:00 a.m.

The B.C. government is partnering to expand advanced forestry skills training in Nanaimo.

Up to 24 eligible British Columbians will get skills and training to prepare them for jobs in the forest industry on Vancouver Island under a new partnership project, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction announced earlier this week.

The province is providing almost $775,000 to Stillwater Consulting Ltd. to deliver skills and certification courses in two intakes of its advanced forestry skills training program in Nanaimo. Participants will receive 16 weeks of occupation and employment skills training, three weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers and two weeks of follow-up help with their job searches.

Participants can earn four different industry certificates and the release notes that program graduates have gone on to become junior forestry technicians, wildland firefighters, equipment operators, silviculture surveyors and recreation trail builders.

Full-time classroom and online learning for the project starts on Monday, Feb. 8. Anyone interested in the second intake, which runs from May 17 to Oct. 8, or other employment and training opportunities, can contact their local Work B.C. centre.

To learn more about the program and criteria for eligibility, click here.


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Nanaimo News Bulletin