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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Forestry-related courses and workshops

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.

Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia

Truro, Nova Scotia

Website

The Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia (FSS) saves lives and reduces injuries and provides training for maintaining compliance with regulatory bodies. FSS offers a variety of online and classroom courses including and in addition to the options listed below:

Accident Investigation
Air Brake Adjustment
All Terrain Vehicles
Chainsaw Training
Clearing Saw
Confined Space
Core Program
Defensive Driving
Due Diligence
Fall Protection
First Aid / CPR
Forklift / Front End Loader
Joint OH&S Committee
Lockout
Mechanized Forest Operator

Pesticide
Rigging
Safe Work Practices
Safety Audit
Species at Risk
Traffic Control & Signage
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
WHMIS

Safety Services Nova Scotia

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Website

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.

Auditing Techniques
Chainsaw Safety Awareness
Confined Space Awareness
Confined Space Entry Awareness
COVID-19: General Canadian Workplace Safety
Due Diligence
Due Diligence for Supervisors
Effective Communication
Fall Protection
Fire Safety
Forklift Training
Incident Investigation
Job Task Analysis

OHS Committee
Joint OH&S Committee Orientation
Lockout – Tagout
Personal Protective Equipment Awareness
Positive and Progressive Discipline
Respect and Inclusion in the Workforce
Safety and the Supervisor
Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
WHMIS 2015 (GHS)
Workplace Inspections
Workplace Inspections / Incident Investigation

Province of Nova Scotia

Website

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.

Woodlot Management Home Study Program
18 distance learning modules
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Nova Scotia Community College

Various Locations, Nova Scotia

Website

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.

Heavy Equipment Operator
College Certificate – 15 Weeks

An entry-level program to learn how to safely operate heavy equipment in a variety of industrial settings. This course includes a combination of classroom learning and practical, hands-on training.
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Workplace Safety Courses

Including Certified Fall Arrest and Protection, Emergency First Aid and CPR, Introduction to the NS Occupational Health & Safety Act, Introduction to WHMIS, and Standard First Aid & CPR “C”.
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Commercial Safety College

Masstown, Nova Scotia

Website

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
12 Weeks (8 weeks at Commercial Safety College + 4 week internship)

This program is designed to prepare you for a career as either a long haul or local truck driver. The course curriculum includes safety studies, practical skills, mechanical skills, essential skills and computer familiarization.
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Heavy Equipment Operator
Entry-Level Operator Certificate – 12 Weeks

Instruction takes place in an active aggregate pit which simulates a true working environment. This course is delivered in 4 modules: Excavator, Loader, Backhoe, and Dozer.
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Boom Truck (Class IV Articulated Crane) Training
250 Hours

This program provides you with the skills and experience to become a competent and recognized boom truck operator. Successful students are credited with 250 of 500 hours required for provincial licensing.
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High Performance Logging

New Brunswick & Nova Scotia

Website

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.

The care and precision by which forests need to be managed continues to add complexity to logging operations; maintaining cost-effective logging within these requirements is essential. Operators and contracting businesses need new information and knowledge by which to manage their business.

Forest Machine Operator Program
25 Weeks

A specialized training course for entry-level logging equipment operators that combines classroom and practical, hands-on instruction to create skilled operators with a focus on safe, sustainable and viable commercial logging operations.
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Maritime Environmental Training Institute

Sydney, Nova Scotia

Website

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

Website

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

Website

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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