Steve Mueller, Director of Workforce Development for the BCFSC, says, "The federal government announced $1 billion to remedy problems from the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) but the money was diverted to highways, bridges, and airport runways," he notes ruefully.
It appears the federal direction is missing in the management of the MPB crisis, although one initiative is more recent, "The Community Development Trust Fund (federal dollars for B.C.) is funding $500,000 inclusive of First Nations in programs directly related to training for the forestry siiviculture industry." He says there are 1,000 training seats available for truck driver training, machine and other safety training, and forestry supervisory training.
This funding is issued with parity inclusive of First Nations and the training is delivered to the grassroots in safety training on vehicles and forestry management. Meanwhile BCFSC is working on safety training programs for fallers, "We're have developed new faller training and delivered it to several First Nation communities," including Lytton Indian Band.
Mueller is closely engaged in the faller training initiatives underway this year. "Faller training is a 3-stage process including 30 days of field instruction, four days of classroom, and work-experience in the field with professional foresters." Following the course there is a 180-day practicum under the Safe Companies Program of WorksafeBC.
"Fallers are certifiable after 180 days," which means they are eligible to challenge for certification as a safe logger in B.C., "but they have to be experienced on falling trees larger than 6" at the butt." At BCFSC, "We do the 30-day training and cut them loose, and it's essentially a form of apprenticeship. Presently the economy affects their job prospects."
Mueller is closely engaged in the faller training initiatives underway this year. "Faller training is a 3-stage process including 30 days of field instruction, four days of classroom, and work-experience in the field with professional foresters." Following the course there is a 180-day practicum under the Safe Companies Program of WorksafeBC.
"Fallers are certifiable after 180 days," which means they are eligible to challenge for certification as a safe logger in B.C., "but they have to be experienced on falling trees larger than 6" at the butt." At BCFSC, "We do the 30-day training and cut them loose, and it's essentially a form of apprenticeship. Presently the economy affects their job prospects."
Mueller says, "I am proud of all the people we have trained. And I see an increasing role for First Nations in the provincial forests. For many of these opportunities training is required." He has made an insightful observation from these later years of exposure to the growing body of First Nation foresters. "Last year I presented on safety at the Aboriginal Forestry Industry Council. I was impressed by the young professional foresters who concentrated on safety right from the get-go."
He said their primary interest in safety flies in the face of old-school logging, and they have a persistent determination to overcome other barriers to learning because it remains an issue that First Nations have extraordinary challenges. "They have literacy issues in some cases, and technical concepts are often written."
Meanwhile, says, Mueller, First Nations are keen on the forest industry as a profession with a future. And he notes, "Siliviculture is a big business and employment opportunity for the First Nations." He notes the Western Silviculture Contractors Assocation has a large involvement in the current training scenarios from the aforementioned federal trust funds.
