Silviculture and forestry workers

Employment requirements for silviculture and forestry workers may vary from one employer to another. As well, in this diverse occupational group, the amount of education and skill required varies significantly depending on the job and its responsibilities.

Training and requirements may include:

• Completion of secondary school
• Completion of a college or other specialized program for silviculture workers or forestry crew workers
• First aid training, such as Occupational First Aid (OFA) Level 3 and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training
• A class 4 British Columbia driver's licence
• An OFA Level 1 and transportation endorsement, with OFA Level 3 is recommended for firefighters

Most training is provided by employers or contractors to their employees. The BC Forest Safety Council also offers a range of courses for small employers and forest workers of all types. For more information please see the BC Forest Safety Council website at www.bcforestsafe.org.

The BC Safe Silviculture Project, a partnership between the BC Forest Safety Council and the Western Silvicultural Contractors' Association, has identified six silviculture functions that require training leading to competency certification. These include resource road driving, ATV operation, power saw operation, prescribed burning, wildfire fighting and silviculture supervision. Training is delivered by a variety of methods (i.e., through employers, in formal classroom setting, etc.).

Environmental management system knowledge is also beneficial.

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Employment opportunities are expected to arise from both new job creation and the need to replace experienced workers who retire. However, due to the small size of this occupational group, the number of openings will be somewhat limited.

In recent years, a number of factors, such as environmental concerns, land use legislation, the rising Canadian dollar, a declining U.S. housing market, trade disputes and mill closures, have reduced the demand for logging activity in B.C.. As a result, the need for reforestation and enhanced silviculture activity (such as pruning, spacing and thinning young trees) has declined. This has reduced the need for silviculture and forestry workers.

On the other hand, other factors may have a somewhat positive impact on this occupational group. For example, a provincial government plan to shift from old-growth to second-growth harvesting in coastal forests involves cultivating faster-growing trees, increased fertilization and a shorter growth-to-harvest cycle. This activity, as well as a planned increase in the planting and harvesting of deciduous hardwoods, would increase opportunities for silviculture workers if put into place.

In addition, climate change is contributing to significant changes in provincial forests. In recent years, the mountain pine beetle and forest fires have destroyed millions of hectares of woodland. The silviculture industry is likely to play a role in the restoration of these areas.

Silviculture and forestry workers are now required to capture more information about a broader array of resources, including fish, wildlife, soils, and cultural and heritage features. There has also been a gradual increase in the amount of technology and mechanization used in these jobs. As a result of these developments, more in-depth training of these workers is required. Industry sources also predict more opportunities for workers highly skilled in prescribed burn and fuel management for ecosystem restoration.

Demand for forest firefighters varies, but is generally steady during long, dry summers. However, the majority of firefighters hired by the British Columbia Forest Service are workers with previous experience who are recalled to work rather than new hires. To learn about other firefighting occupations, see the profile for Firefighters (NOC 4312).