Up to 24 eligible British Columbians will get skills and training to prepare them for jobs in the forest industry on Vancouver Island.

“From timber cruising to wildlife management to forest operations, these advanced forestry skills will open doors to better opportunities and help British Columbians build the foundation for well-paying jobs and long-term success,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.”

This is a new Community and Employer Partnership (CEP) project from the Government of British Columbia.

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction 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.

During the project, participants will receive 16 weeks of occupational and employability skills training, three weeks of on-the-job work experience with local employers and two weeks of followup support to assist in their job search.

In addition to other learned skills, participants will be able to earn four different industry certificates: Occupational First Aid - Level 3, Basic Chainsaw Operator, Basic Fire Suppression and Safety - Fire Entrapment Avoidance, and Pesticide Applicator - Agriculture General. Past graduates of the program have gone on to become junior forestry technicians, wildland firefighters, equipment operators, silviculture surveyors and recreation trail builders.

Funding for this project is provided through the Project-Based Labour Market Training stream of WorkBC’s CEP. CEP aims to increase employment and work experience opportunities for unemployed British Columbians through local community partnerships, shared information, technology and innovative practices.

“We are supporting people through the pandemic by investing in programs proven to help people get ahead,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “I loved hearing the inspiring success stories from a class that we funded last year in Nanaimo. We’re continuing this work so that more people can get the skills, training and work experience needed to get a good job close to home.”

Full-time, classroom and online learning for this project starts on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. Project activities run through to July 2, 2021.

“The Advanced Forestry Skills Training program is becoming recognized around the province as the benchmark in forestry training,” said Jody McInnes, president and senior project manager, Stillwater Consulting Ltd. “Stillwater is excited to be able to provide students with the technical skills, certifications and practical experience sought out by employers in the forest sector. In this unprecedented time, many people are evaluating their career goals in search of safe and meaningful work. The experiential training style of this program enables students to explore a wide range of job opportunities while gaining practical skills favoured for working in the outdoors.”

Anyone interested in the second intake, which runs from May 17, to Oct. 8, 2021, or other employment and training opportunities, can contact their local WorkBC centre.

More than $15 million will be invested in CEP projects around B.C. in 2020-21.

Learn More:

Learn how CEPs are helping local communities: www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/Community-and-Employer-Partnerships.aspx

Learn about how WorkBC can help find British Columbians jobs that are right for them: www.workbc.ca/rightforyou

Find your local WorkBC centre: https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/WorkBC-Centres-Listing.aspx

Stillwater Consulting Ltd.: https://www.stillwaterconsultingltd.com/