Training & Skills Development

Get the skills you need for a career in forestry

Training Providers

Explore training providers offering forestry-related courses, certifications, and workplace training.

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

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.

 Association for Sustainable Forestry

 

Offers certification and licensing programs in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.

Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia logo
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia (FSS)
Truro, Nova Scotia

 

Provides safety training and certification to support compliance and reduce workplace risk.

Safety services nova scotia logo

Safety Services Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Non-profit provider of road, workplace, and community safety training across Nova Scotia.

NSCC logo
Nova Scotia Community College
Various Locations, Nova Scotia

 

Offers 140+ programs across Nova Scotia, including forestry and trades training.

Commercial Safety College Logo
Commercial Safety College
Masstown, Nova Scotia

 

Provides training in truck driving and heavy equipment operation aligned with industry needs.

  • Tractor Trailer Internship – Class 1 Truck Driver
  • Heavy Equipment Operator
  • Boom Truck (Class IV Articulated Crane) Training
High performance logging logo
High Performance Logging
New Brunswick & Nova Scotia

 

The forest machine operator training program focused on improving operational efficiency in forestry.

METI Logo
Maritime Environmental Training Institute
Sydney, Nova Scotia

Career college offering accredited training in environment, health, safety, and skilled trades.

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

    Prepares you for certification as a Class 1 commercial driver.
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  • Occupational Health Safety & Environment Program
    26 Weeks

    Covers safety, leadership, and workplace training for entry-level roles.
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  • Earthmoving Operator
    10 Weeks

    Hands-on training in operating heavy equipment in a simulated work environment.
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Operating Engineers Training Institute of Nova Scotia
Falmouth, Nova Scotia

Trains safety-focused heavy equipment operators using industry-standard equipment and experienced instructors.

  • Fundamentals of Earth Moving
    6 Weeks | 160 Hours

    Classroom and hands-on training in heavy equipment operation (bulldozer, excavator, loader, backhoe).
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  • Mobile Crane Operation
    8 Weeks | 320 Hours

    Combines classroom and field training in crane operation, safety, and load handling.
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Maritime College of Forest Technology logo
Maritime College of Forest Technology
Fredericton, New Brunswick

Continuing education programs for forestry professionals.

Continuing Education Programs

Core Training

  • NS Watercourse Alteration Certification

  • Chainsaw Safety, Operation & Maintenance

  • ATV Safety Training

  • Wetland Delineation

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Specialized Training

  • Inland Sediment & Erosion

  • Introduction to LiDAR

  • Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS)

  • Wetland Ecosystems Services Protocol – Atlantic Canada

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NBCC Logo
New Brunswick Community College
Miramichi, New Brunswick

New Brunswick’s largest provider of skilled trades training.

  • Mechanized Forest Equipment Operator
    15 Weeks

    Prepares students for entry-level roles operating forestry equipment.
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  • Mobile Crane Operator
    14 Weeks

    Training in rigging, hoisting, and crane operation leading to certification.
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  • Heavy Equipment Operator
    12 Weeks

    Hands-on training in earthmoving and heavy equipment operation.
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SkillsPass Logo

Free online training with Skillspass

Free training for forestry workers and employers through SkillsPass.

Build job-ready skills at your own pace.

Forestry Post-Secondary Programs

Explore forestry post-secondary programs across Atlantic Canada, including college diplomas and university degrees.

Undergraduate Programs

Nova Scotia Community College
Various, Nova Scotia

  • Natural Resources Environmental Technology
    2-year diploma program
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  • Forest Geomatics and Biometrics Technology
    1-year graduate certificate
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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

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