Forestry Training | Forestry Sector Council

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.

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Post-Secondary Programs

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

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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.

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.

The course is accessible with a My NS Account. If you don’t yet have a My NS Account, you will need to create one in order to start the training.

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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.

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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.

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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

Website

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

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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

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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

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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

New Brunswick Community College

Miramichi, New Brunswick

Website

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.
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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.

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