Training & Skills Development

Get the skills you need for a career in forestry

Courses & Workshops

Forestry-related trades courses and workshops to develop your skills and advance your career.

Skills Development

Online and in-person training to develop your business and workplace skills, and expand your forestry career opportunities.

Post-Secondary Programs

College and university diplomas, degrees and certificates in Atlantic Canada for careers in forestry.

Training Providers of Forestry Related Courses

Explore courses and workshops from a variety of training providers to enhance your skills for a fulfilling and lucrative career in the forestry sector. Develop your abilities and expand your knowledge to progress in your career and build your future.

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Province of Nova Scotia
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow more wood, improve wildlife habitat on your woodlot, or safely maintain and operate your chainsaw, this is the home study program for you. Modules are added as they become available and course content is accessible online or by mail. Registered participants who score 70% or higher on completed quizzes and workbooks can receive a completion certificate.
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia logo
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia (FSS)
Truro, Nova Scotia
The FSS saves lives, reduces injuries, and provides training for maintaining compliance with regulatory bodies. FSS offers a variety of online and classroom courses.
Safety services nova scotia logo

Safety Services Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Safety Services Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit safety service provider for Road Safety, Occupational Safety and Community Safety. Since 1958, Safety Services Nova Scotia has pioneered safety education and training programs that have improved the quality of life for Nova Scotians.
NSCC logo
Nova Scotia Community College
Various Locations, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) offers 140+ programs at 14 campuses across Nova Scotia with inclusive and flexible access to education and specialized, industry-driven training.
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Commercial Safety College
Masstown, Nova Scotia
Commercial Safety College provides professional training in truck driving and operating heavy equipment. Each program is designed based on industry requirements so that students are prepared to enter the workforce immediately after successful completion.
  • Tractor Trailer Internship – Class 1 Truck Driver
  • Heavy Equipment Operator
  • Boom Truck (Class IV Articulated Crane) Training
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High Performance Logging
New Brunswick & Nova Scotia
Forest Machine Operator Program: High Performance Logging (HPL) is an initiative of the Canadian Woodlands Forum and BioApplied, aimed at providing solutions for improving operational efficiency and business performance in today’s forestry operations.
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Maritime Environmental Training Institute
Sydney, Nova Scotia

Maritime Environmental Training Institute (METI) is a career college providing occupational, environment, health and safety training through accredited and industry-approved programs and courses.

  • Class 1 Driver – Tractor Trailer
    14 Weeks (10 weeks at METI + 4 week internship)

    This program prepares you to become a professional driver with the knowledge, skills and certifications required to meet industry demands for Class 1 Operator.
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  • Occupational Health Safety & Environment Program
    26 Weeks

    This program offers students a broad base of training to prepare for employment and practical skills in safety, leadership, communications, business and workplace training.
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  • Earthmoving Operator
    10 Weeks

    Get hands on training operating heavy equipment in a simulated working environment with industry-experienced instructors at a 10-acre training site.
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Operating Engineers Training Institute of Nova Scotia
Falmouth, Nova Scotia

Operating Engineers Training Institute of Nova Scotia (OETINS) trains students to be safety-oriented, heavy equipment operators and employs experienced instructors with state-of-the-art equipment.

  • Fundamentals of Earth Moving
    6 Weeks | 160 Hours

    A combination of classroom learning and practical, hands-on training in heavy equipment operation. Field modules include: Bulldozer, Excavator, and Tractor / Loader / Backhoe.
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  • Mobile Crane Operation
    8 Weeks | 320 Hours

    This program consists of a mix of classroom and field training, including modules on technical knowledge, site, load charts and operations.
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Maritime College of Forest Technology
Fredericton, New Brunswick

The Maritime College of Forest Technology (MCFT) produces quality graduates ready to work in the natural resources sector. MCFT 0ffers continuing education programs for working professionals including:

  • NS Watercourse Alteration Certification

  • Inland Sediment & Erosion

  • Introduction to LiDAR

  • Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS)

  • Wetland Delineation

  • Chainsaw Safety, Operation & Maintenance

  • ATV Safety Training

  • Wetland Ecosystems Services Protocol – Atlantic Canada

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New Brunswick Community College
Miramichi, New Brunswick

New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is New Brunswick’s largest provider of skilled training.

  • Mechanized Forest Equipment Operator
    15 Weeks

    Prepares students for entry-level positions with unique forestry sector equipment.
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  • Mobile Crane Operator
    14 Weeks

    Gives you the necessary skills in rigging and hoisting. Upon successful completion, students receive a Mobile Crane Operation certification.
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  • Heavy Equipment Operator
    12 Weeks

    Provides you with the knowledge and skills for work associated with earth, gravel and rock movement through hands-on training.
    View Course>

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Learn at your own pace

We’ve partnered with SkillsPass and the Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration to provide free online training to forestry workers and employers. Develop the skills necessary to succeed in today’s workforce with this self-directed online platform.

Forestry undergraduate programs

Nova Scotia Community College
Various, Nova Scotia
  • Natural Resources Environmental Technology
    2-year diploma program
    Visit Website >

  • Forest Geomatics and Biometrics Technology
    1-year graduate certificate
    Visit Website >

Maritime College of Forest Technology
Fredericton, New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Université de Moncton
Edmundston, New Brunswick
College of the North Atlantic
Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Forestry graduate programs

University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Université de Moncton
Edmundston, New Brunswick

Forestry sector-related programs

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton University
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University
Halifax or Truro, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Community College
Various, Nova Scotia
Saint Francis Xavier University
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Saint Mary’s University
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Université Sainte-Anne
Pointe-de-l’Église, Nova Scotia
Holland College
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
University of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Crandall University
Moncton, New Brunswick
Mount Allison University
Sackville, New Brunswick
New Brunswick Community College
Various, New Brunswick
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Université de Moncton
Various, New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John’s, Newfoundland
College of the North Atlantic
Various, Newfoundland