Prince George, B.C.- With half a million dollars of funding from the Canada – British Columbia Labour Market Agreement, 30 people in Northern B.C. have started  a five-week training program to learn the skills necessary to work as log or chip truck drivers and heavy equipment operators (HEO) in the forestry industry. 

The Forest Industry Readiness Skills Training (FIRST) program is currently piloting in Prince George, where there is the highest demand for this type of training. It consists of in-class training on topics like forestry operations and safety. Afterwards, students head out to various employers in the province for four weeks of workplacetraining in truck driving and operating heavy equipment. 

Aimed at helping participants to secure permanent employment, this program is part of a new Labour Market Sector Solutions project with the Central Interior Logging Association (CILA). 

"It’s an exciting time for the forest industry, with all the opportunities ahead,” says MaryAnne Arcand, executive director, Central Interior Logging Association. “ It’s great to be able to offer entry-level training and job experience to a new generation of forest workers. Government and industry support for this program has been overwhelming, and was exactly what was needed to move forward and fill the severe labour shortage in the forest harvesting sector."

 Due to the demand for skilled workers in this field, students who successfully complete the program will have the opportunity to continue employment with one of the project’s industry partners.