Information

Learning Objectives

• Identify some possible life-long careers related to forestry skills
• Recognize and analyze the forestry opportunities in your immediate environment
• Recognize and analyze the barriers to forestry opportunities
• Identify potential resources to minimize barriers to forestry opportunities
• Identify potential resources to maximize forestry opportunities
  

Introduction

In this unit we are going to explore some of the many careers in the forestry sector, some you may have never considered.

If you have not yet decided on a career or direction following high school, this unit will give you some information that will help you either consider or rule out a career in forestry. Gathering information about different careers will help you narrow down your choices to help you decide which direction you want to go.

If you have already decided on your future path, I would encourage you to read this unit with an open mind; it is never a bad idea to continually look at all the options that are available to you. You never know, you might find something in forestry that really excites you!

Pixabay, adapted by ADLC

Opportunities

It is important, when exploring careers in Forestry, that you get an idea of the vast array of opportunities that are available. For example, you might have an interest in our forests, but your plans are to be an administrative assistant. Did you think about looking at a career as an administrative assistant in the forestry sector? This section will hopefully open up a variety of careers that you had not thought of before and maybe there will be something that interests you!

It is also important to look at some of the statistics when thinking of a career in forestry. The following information is provided by the Alberta Forest Products Association and Inside Education:

• Approximately 40 000 Albertans are employed in forestry.
• More than 500 companies in Alberta make value-added wood products.
• The average hourly wage for jobs in forestry is between $33 to $47.
• Forestry generates over $8 billion annual revenue for Alberta’s economy.
• Forestry is the 3rd largest industry in Alberta.
• Over 2 billion trees have been planted in Alberta over the last 20 years.

From these statistics, we can see how important forestry is in Alberta and how it can provide all kinds of opportunities for jobs and careers.

Read

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Read Forest Careers (Courtesy of Inside Education) for an introduction to only a few of the many careers in forestry.

After reading the article, name at least three advantages of working in the forest sector.

How many of these did you think of?

• you can live in a small town or big city
• wages are competitive
• you can work indoors or outdoors
• you can work alone or with others
• opportunity to work with drones
  

As the demand for renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly materials and products grows, there is an increase in research and innovation in the forestry sector, which is leading to new career opportunities.

Alberta Forest Products

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Career Profiles

Work Wild is a campaign sponsored by the Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) and the Forest Resource Improvement Association (FRIAA) that encourages people to consider careers in the forest industry. Their website outlines six different fields of forestry related careers.

Engineering	Forestry	Office	Operations	Science	Trades

Images courtesy of Pixabay. Links courtesy of Work Wild.

After reading Work Wild’s Forest Career Guide, click each coloured tab to explore some careers in forestry in more detail:

• Silviculturists
• Field Forester
• Resource Analyst
• Strategic Planning Forester
• Woodlands Manager

West Fraser Silviculturist, Stacey Pike describes how forestry is an art.

 

Spray Lake Sawmill’s, Kalina Velez explains how Field Foresters work to manage forests sustainably.

 

 

Silvacom Resource Analyst, Toni Anderson explains what ecosystem services are.

 

 

Spray Lake Sawmill’s, Matt Denny explains what is considered when forest planning.

 

 

Kris Kennedy of Boucher Bros. Lumber explains the planning process.

 

Possible Barriers

There are many barriers to pursuing any future career. Careers in the forest industry are no different. One of the most difficult to overcome is finding the right post-secondary program and paying for it. Once you have completed the program, finding a career in your field may also be a barrier.

However, none of these barriers are insurmountable. Click each collapsible row to explore some solutions to just a few of these barriers.

Financial

Education is expensive. One of the ways to ease the financial burden is through scholarships and internships. Many students do not apply for scholarships because they do not think they have the grades or qualifications, or they find the scholarship application processes daunting. In fact, millions of dollars worth of scholarship money are unclaimed in Canada every year because students do not apply. Watch this video on Unclaimed Scholarship Money.

Once you have applied for one scholarship, you often have a lot of the documents (like a resume and letter of introduction, transcripts and reference letters) to use when applying for others. It is a good idea to keep all of this organized to use again.

As mentioned, some students do not apply for scholarships because of grades. However, scholarships are often based on interests, volunteering, or affiliations and not just academics. Watch this video on Canadian students missing out on millions in unclaimed scholarships.

When looking for scholarships, a place to start is with the school you are planning to attend . Most post-secondary schools have a scholarship page on their website listing the scholarships available through them or associated with them. There are also a number of Canadian specific scholarship sites:

• Scholarship Canada
• Universities Canada Scholarship Page
• Work Wild Scholarship List

Another good place to look for possible scholarship opportunities is on the websites of companies you may work for in the future. For example, both Canfor and West Fraser have scholarships for students who are pursuing studies in trades and careers associated with the forest industry.

Education

We have already learned that there are a wide variety of careers in the forest industry. Some are directly involved, such as logging, silviculture, or forest management. Others may be involved in research or administration. There are many post-secondary school programs for those who have a passion for working in the forests.

If you choose to pursue a career directly in forest management, there are a number of post-secondary institutions that you can consider, depending on the field you wish to pursue, including:

• the University of Alberta, where you can earn:
• a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and become a Registered Professional Forester (RFP).
• a Bachelor of Science in Forest Business Management.
  
  
• the University of Calgary, where you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Ecology.
  
  
• NAIT, where you can explore a number of forest related programs including a diploma in Forest Technology.
  
  
• SAIT, where you can earn a diploma in Chemical Laboratory Technology.
  
  
• Grande Prairie Regional College, where you can take year one of a Bachelor of Science in Forestry.
  
  
• Olds College, where you can look at programs in the area of Land and Environment.
  
  
• Lethbridge College, where you might be interested in an Agricultural Sciences program.

NAIT Forest Technology Graduate Annette Bugnet reflects on how education helps ensure forest health. Source:

Nait

University of Alberta Student Gillian Stauffer describes why she choose the forestry program. In a Work Wild website posting, What Is A Forestry Program Really Like? Gillian further describes her experience in the program.

If you become a Professional Forest Technologist, you also become a member of the College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists. The college is a governing body that connects members to ongoing education and research, and ensures that Professional Forest Technologists are ethical stewards of the forests who uphold Standards of Practices and follow the Code of Professional Conduct. This means that sustainable forest management and maintaining healthy ecosystems are the main goals of their profession.

Working Conditions

We have learned that there are many types of career opportunities in the forest industry. Depending on the field which you pursue, your career choice may be physically demanding at times, such as in the careers of wildland firefighters, tree planters, or mechanics.

Your career might also allow you to spend a lot of time in remote areas, such as a career as a silviculture or forest technician.

At the same time, you may choose a career where you often work with people, such as someone in Aboriginal relations or forest planner, or in an area of science such as a hydrologist, or a trade such as a millwright.

Courtesy of Work Wild - Alberta Forest Products Association

Finding Employment

Pixabay

After completing your education, there are many places that post careers in the forest industry. Job postings can also be found on industry websites, local job boards, and employment opportunity centers.

• The Greenest Workforce
• Work Wild
• Forestry Jobs in Canada
• Canadian Institute of Forestry
• Government of Canada – Career Opportunities
• Vancouver Island University – Forest Resources Job Posting
• Association of BC Forest Professionals
• Find a Forestry Job

5.1 Assignment

Career Exploration

1. On the last page in Unit 5, Finding Employment, here are many links to employment opportunities in the forestry sector; they are repeated below.
   
   Choose the job posting that interests you the most.
• The Greenest Workforce
• Work Wild
• Forestry Jobs in Canada
• Canadian Institute of Forestry
• Government of Canada – Career Opportunities
• Vancouver Island University – Forest Resources Job Posting
• Association of BC Forest Professionals
• Find a Forestry Job
  
  
2. Read the job posting carefully. You may need to do some additional research on the position and the company that is offering the position.
3. Look at the job title. Determine:
• what education is required for the position
• what educational institute offers the program(s) you will need to take
• how much it will cost
• how you will pay for it, etc.
  
  
You will need to do some research here in order to respond fully.



4. Think about where you are in your life right now. For example, are you living at home, how much does it cost you to live, what grade are you in? Make notes about each step that you will need to take in order to be qualified to apply for the job that you chose in Step 1. Also indicate any barriers that might come up (e.g. moving, financial) and indicate how you plan to overcome these barriers (e.g. apply and obtain a scholarship, student loan,etc.).
5. Using the Google Slides template provided, demonstrate the steps, in a logical order, from where you are right now, to where you need to be to apply for the job.
   
   Click the button below to access the file. Make a copy of the file in your own Google Drive.
   
   Google Slides
   
6. Open this saved document.
7. Enter your responses in the appropriate spaces. Remember to use your own words. Add images to support your steps.
8. When you have completed the assignment, save it on your desktop (or documents folder).
   
9. Once you have completed your assignment, click on the button below to go to the submission page.
   
   Submission Page

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