The new Fundamentals of Forestry - Harvesting Practices program in Woss will now officially be offered tuition free for the first intake of students.
“We are now able to share that the tuition for all participants in this first offering will be fully sponsored,” said Kellie Spence, Program and Registration Assistant for Trades and Applied Technology at Vancouver Island University, in an email to the North Island Gazette.
Prior to this announcement Western Forest Products committed to sponsoring six seats, but the remaining six seats for the program, which begins April 16, had not officially secured funding.
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“Several organizations including Western Forest Products, Mount Waddington Regional District and Vancouver Island North Training Attraction Society have provided funding to cover the tuition for the 12-week program in Woss,” explained Spence.
Participants will need to fund their own accommodation in Woss, food, and transportation to and from Woss, which VIU anticipates to come to $2,000 to $2,500. They will also need to supply their own personal protective gear.
About the program:
The program content is based on competencies identified by the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) and developed with Vancouver Island University.
The program is designed to teach employability skills, safe work practices used in forestry, communication and hazards found in the forestry environment, basic rigging practices and components, documentation required in forestry, emergency response plan and First Aid requirements, among other topics.
Vancouver Island University and BC Forestry Safety Council assisted in the development of the program, and the project is sponsored and supported by the Vancouver Island North Training and Attraction Society (VINTAS) who’s founding members include Town of Port McNeill, Woss Residents Association, ‘Namgis First Nation, Regional District of Mount Waddington, North Island College, School District 85, Community Futures of Mount Waddington, Western Forest Products, North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society and North Island Employment Foundation Society.
To apply for the program or for more information contact Vancouver Island Univerity at heo@viu.ca. The deadline for applications is March 15.