Stewards of sustainability.
A transformation has swept the forestry industry, changing the business and planting the seeds of sustainable eco-management. Canada’s forests support more than 300,000 jobs across the country and add over $26 billion to our economy each year
1. At the same time, a commitment to maintain forest ecosystems and biodiversity has created a need for protectors and stewards of one of our most valuable natural resources.
That’s what Forest Resource Technicians are – protectors and stewards of sustainability for this precious ecosystem. Some 90 per cent of animal and plant species are found in the forest and cannot survive without them. And as the “lungs of the earth,” they are essential to human populations as well.
This lays the ground for a dynamic and diverse career that will open pathways to employment throughout Canada in a variety of forestry-related fields such as: parks, wildlife and environmental assessment, forest inventory and site classification, silviculture, logging and engineering, forest access road construction and maintenance, and protection and enforcement. Sustainable forest management in Canada is especially important for rural and Indigenous communities, where forest-based work is a main source of income and subsistence.
This nationally accredited program will prepare you to identify forest ecosystem issues to develop preventive measures, treatments and practices used in forest resource protection, management and utilization. You will acquire skills with field and office equipment to assess and analyze natural resources data and build your competence and confidence in finding sustainable solutions to forest management problems and challenges.
You will be firmly planted in the knowledge to grow in this meaningful career.
Program Highlights
• Additional certification in: Canadian Firearms/Hunter Education, Timber Scaling, WHMIS/OHS, Chainsaw Safety, ATV Safety, Snowmobile Safety, Wilderness First Aid & Canadian Board License - Pleasure Craft
• Nationally accredited by the Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC)
• Apply for entry with advanced standing at several Canadian Universities (transfer credits)
• Graduates receive a silver ring from the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) and are eligible for membership in the CIF
Did You Know?
• Canada is home to 38 percent of the world’s certified forests
2 .
• Canada’s forest industry employs over 300,000 Canadians (Natural Resources Canada, 2020).
• Tree genomics is the research and study of a tree’s DNA, also known as its genome
3.
• Each year, the forest industry in Canada plants over half a billion trees as part of legal requirements to reforest any harvested Crown land forests
4.
• Canada’s forest products industry has the best environmental reputation in the world according to a 2014 Leger survey of international customers (FPAC)
• Using wood products helps “green” the environment by replacing more carbon intensive materials with wood, which is also a carbon sink that helps mitigate climate change
5.
1,2,5 Forestry in Canada - Canada Action (n.d.)
3,4 Canadian Institute of Forestry – Tree Genomics (n.d.)
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the Forest Resources Technician program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to participate in finding solutions to forest management problems and challenges.
- Identify forest ecosystem issues, challenges and alternate solutions.
- Use assessment and evaluation techniques involved in forest resource protection, management and utilization.
- Identify current preventive measures, treatments and practices used in forest resource protection, management and utilization.
- Apply effective procedures and practices in the use of field and office equipment to assess and analyze natural resources data.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of this nationally accredited program may obtain employment throughout Canada in a variety of forestry related fields: protection and enforcement, forest inventory and site classification, logging and engineering, forest access road construction and maintenance, silviculture as well as parks, wildlife and environmental assessment. This program has an established reputation for supplying graduates to employers all across Canada.
PROGRAM TRANSFERABILITY
Graduates of the Forest Resources Technician program, who wish to pursue post-secondary studies, can apply for entry with advanced standing at a number of Canadian Universities that the College has established credit transfer agreements with. Please refer to the NL Department of Education's transfer guide (www.cna.nl.ca/transfer), or contact your intended university or college.
CNA presently has articulation agreements with University of New Brunswick and Royal Roads University.
ACCREDITATION AND RECOGNITION
Forest Resources Technician is accredited by Technology Accreditation Canada under the mandate of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists until December 2028. Forest Resources Technician is also recognized internationally by the signatories of the Dublin accord. This provides graduates of the program with both national and international mobility for work and/or study.
CERTIFICATIONS
In addition to the formal semester courses listed in the program of studies, students in the Forestry Resources Technician program are required to obtain certification in the following areas over the two-year period of study:
Canadian Firearm Safety Course/Hunter Education
WHMIS
OHS
Wilderness Remote First Aid
ATV Safety - Canada Safety Council
Snowmobile Safety - Canada Safety Council
NL Timber Scaling
Chainsaw Safety Awareness
Brush Saw Safety Awareness
Canadian Boat License - Pleasure Craft
Note: Students should be aware that additional fees and expenses apply for certifications and for field camps, tours and On-the-Job Training. Students will be required to hold valid certifications for the above courses prior to graduation.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Academic:
Eligibility for admission to the program requires the applicant to meet one of the following four academic criteria:
1. High School
High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
i. English (2 credits) (minimum 60%) from: 3201 or 3202
ii. Mathematics (4 credits) chosen from:
Advanced: 2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
Academic: 2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
Note: Students who received a combined average of 70% in high school Academic Mathematics 2201 and 3201, or a pass in both high school Advanced Mathematics 2200 and 3200 can be exempted from Math 1100.
Students must apply for the exemption.
iii. Science – (4 credits) two of which must be chosen from:
Biology: 3201
Physics: 3204
Chemistry: 3202
Earth Systems: 3209
Environmental Science 3205
2. College Transition (prior to 2024, students would have completed Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition)
College Transition Certificate with the following courses:
i. Math:
MA1040,
MA1041
ii. Two Science courses chosen from one of the following three combinations:
a. Biology:
BL1025,
BL1026
b. Chemistry:
CH1035,
CH1036
c. Physics:
PH1055,
PH1056
Note: It is strongly recommended that College Transition students who intend to enroll in the Fish and Wildlife or Forest Resources Technician program complete
BL1025 and
BL1026.
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Degree and Technical Profile including the following courses (or equivalent):
i. English 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
ii. Mathematics 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
iii. Science from one of the following sections:
a. Biology 1101, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
b. Chemistry 1102, 2102A, 2102B, 2102C, 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
c. Physics 1104, 2104A, 2104B, 2104C, 3104A, 3104B, 3104C
Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different Profile (and appropriate grades) may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to
Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into our regular programs; for more information regarding the College’s English language proficiency requirements please refer to
AC-102-PR, Admission Procedures, Section 5.2 English Proficiency.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Because of the extensive field exposure incorporated in this program, the student is required to acquire the following equipment and clothing: hard hat, compass, axe, snowshoes, logger boots, good quality rainwear, and other clothing appropriate for outdoor work.
Note: Participation in activities that are physically demanding will be required due to the extensive field components incorporated into this program.