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.

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 logo
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia
Truro, Nova Scotia

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 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.

  • 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

Government of Nova Scotia Logo
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.

  • Woodlot Management Home Study Program
    18 distance learning modules
    View Course >

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.

  • 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.
    View Course>

  • 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”.
    View Courses>

Commercial Safety College Logo
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
    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.
    View Course>

  • 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.
    View Course>

  • 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.
    View Course>

High performance logging logo
High Performance Logging
New Brunswick & Nova Scotia

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.
    View Course>

METI Logo
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.
    View Course>

  • 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.
    View Course>

  • 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.
    View Course>

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.
    View Course>

  • 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.
    View Course>

Maritime College of Forest Technology logo
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

NBCC Logo
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.
    View Course>

  • Mobile Crane Operator
    14 Weeks

    Gives you the necessary skills in rigging and hoisting. Upon successful completion, students receive a Mobile Crane Operation certification.
    View Course>

  • 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>

SkillsPass Logo

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