Forest Technician

Program Details

Program Phone Number

780-623-7127

Program Description

The Forest Technician program is a one year certificate program designed to prepare personnel in the practical and technical skills needed to work in the forest industry. The Forest Technician program at Portage College focuses on training learners about the responsibility of managing and sustaining our forest by balancing the social, economic and ecological aspects of our natural resources. Forest technicians perform technical fieldwork relating to forest management, forest harvesting, silviculture, forest protection and working with our Aboriginal communities. Their field of expertise lies in the gathering of field information and in performing tasks such as forest sampling and inventory, timber scaling, cutblock and road layout, and information gathering using global positioning systems. Forest Technicians perform silviculture treatments such as stand tending and the supervision of reforestation projects. They are trained as Wildland Firefighter Type I members and perform a variety of fire suppression activities. The program consists of a variety of learning activities using current industry standards and recommended best practices. The program stays current through close liaison with industry and government and receives input on curriculum and field activities from an Industry Advisory Committee. The program is delivered in a blended delivery model, consisting of face-to-face and on-line delivery methods.

Credential

Certificate

Admission Requirements

Grade 11 with minimum 60% in Grade 11 English 20-1 or 20-2 and Math 20 (Applied or Pure) or Math 20 or Math 23 or Math 20-1 or Math 20-2, good physical health, high school transcripts. Must be physically able to do all facets of forestry work tasks. Please refer to the following link for minimum technical requirements at our Moodle Site.

Practicum

April 29, 2013 - June 15/13

Career Potential

Employment opportunities exist within all areas of the forest sector. Graduates have been very successful in finding employment with forestry consultants, forestry companies, and government forestry departments. Graduates have also worked as independent contractors, and have branched off into other industries that are directly associated with forestry land management.

Transferability

-Graduates will be granted full credit for semester one of NAIT’S Forest Technology Diploma program, provided students meet program prerequisites. -Graduates will be granted full credit for year one of NAIT’S Forest Technology Program, provided students complete FTEC 213 and FTEC 236, and meet program prerequisites.

Program Schedule, Fees & Locations:

Please refer to the link below for current schedule and fees.

Program Schedule & Fees 2011 - 2012

Program Schedule & Fees 2012 - 2013

Course List

• FTEC009 - INTRODUCTION TO FOREST MENSURATION

  Course ID: FTEC009

  Name: INTRODUCTION TO FOREST MENSURATION

  Hours: 12

  Credits: 0.5

  Students will become proficient in the use specialized instruments for forest sampling and timber cruising purposes.

  
  
• FTEC010 - FOREST MAPPING

  Course ID: FTEC010

  Name: FOREST MAPPING

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 2

  Students will develop the skills to perform forestry math calculations and conversions. The use of forestry maps and aerial photographs and their application are studied.

  
  
• FTEC011 - INTRODUCTORY FOREST SCIENCES

  Course ID: FTEC011

  Name: INTRODUCTORY FOREST SCIENCES

  Hours: 27

  Credits: 1

  This course examines native trees and shrubs of Alberta. Students will be able to identify native trees and shrubs, recognize tree roots, stem, crown and explain their functions. Identification and analyses of different soil textures will be covered. Pre-harvest forest assessments will be demonstrated and practiced.

  
  
• FTEC014 - STAND TENDING

  Course ID: FTEC014

  Name: STAND TENDING

  Hours: 40

  Credits: 1.5

  This course examines native trees and shrubs of Alberta. Students will be able to identify native trees and shrubs, recognize tree roots, stem, crown and explain their functions. Identification and analyses of different soil textures will be covered. Pre-harvest forest assessments will be demonstrated and practiced.

  
  
• FTEC015 - CAREER DEVELOPMENT

  Course ID: FTEC015

  Name: CAREER DEVELOPMENT

  Hours: 12

  Credits: 0.5

  This course prepares students for the workforce. Students explore different career opportunities and job expectations within the forest industry. They learn how to search and apply for jobs and plan for a career.

  
  
• FTEC016 - INTRO TO FOREST PROTECTION

  Course ID: FTEC016

  Name: INTRO TO FOREST PROTECTION

  Hours: 36

  Credits: 1.5

  Students will explore forest protection objectives in Alberta, with emphasis on current wildfire policy and insect and disease problems in Alberta. A Wildfire Orientation certificate will be acquired.

  
  
• FTEC017 - FOREST SAFETY

  Course ID: FTEC017

  Name: FOREST SAFETY

  Hours: 48

  Credits: 2.5

  Students will be made aware of the various hazard and risks associated with the forest industry. Students will acquire certification in Standard First Aid, Chainsaw Safety, Bear Awareness, TDG (Transportation of Dangerous Goods Ground and Air) and H2S Awareness to minimize work related accidents.

  
  
• FTEC018 - FIRE SUPRESSION

  Course ID: FTEC018

  Name: FIRE SUPRESSION

  Hours: 96

  Credits: 3.5

  Students explore and develop skills in wildfire suppression techniques. Training as a Wildland Firefighter is the major focus of this course. Students will be able to acquire certification as a Helitack or Firetack member.

  
  
• FTEC019 - FIELD NAVIGATION

  Course ID: FTEC019

  Name: FIELD NAVIGATION

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 1.5

  Students develop the skills required to work with measurement equipment used for forest navigation purposes. Students are introduced to Global Positioning Systems using small hand-held units. Field proficiency in compassing and traversing to an industry standard are developed in this course.

  
  
• FTEC020 - FOREST MENSURATION

  Course ID: FTEC020

  Name: FOREST MENSURATION

  Hours: 48

  Credits: 2.5

  Students will become proficient in the use specialized instruments for forest sampling and timber cruising purposes. Students will be exposed to all types of forest sampling techniques used to assess standing timber.

  
  
• FTEC021 - FOREST HARVESTING OPERATIONS

  Course ID: FTEC021

  Name: FOREST HARVESTING OPERATIONS

  Hours: 12

  Credits: 0.5

  This course focuses on current harvesting practices and logging techniques. A variety of logging operations in Alberta are observed and studied. Logging practices on pipeline right-of-ways and oil leases will be examined in detail.

  
  
• FTEC022 - OUTDOOR SKILLS

  Course ID: FTEC022

  Name: OUTDOOR SKILLS

  Hours: 24

  Credits: 0.5

  Forest Technicians working in the field must have woodmanship skills to make their exposure to the outdoors safe. This course will develop woodmanship and outdoor survival skills through theory, practical lab and field experience.

  
  
• FTEC023 - FOREST HARVESTING

  Course ID: FTEC023

  Name: FOREST HARVESTING

  Hours: 42

  Credits: 2

  The emphasis of this course is on timber management, harvesting practices, harvest planning, operating ground rules, and annual operating plans. Students gain experience in cutblock design and layout.

  
  
• FTEC024 - WOOD UTILIZATION

  Course ID: FTEC024

  Name: WOOD UTILIZATION

  Hours: 48

  Credits: 2

  This course explores the primary wood industries in Alberta. Through observation, students see how timber is utilized and what products are manufactured.

  
  
• FTEC025 - LOG SCALING

  Course ID: FTEC025

  Name: LOG SCALING

  Hours: 40

  Credits: 1.5

  This course is an Alberta Government Certification. Students will learn the many different methods of scaling logs.

  
  
• FTEC026 - COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

  Course ID: FTEC026

  Name: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

  Hours: 34

  Credits: 1

  Students will be exposed to computer software that is commonly used in the forest industry. A basic understanding of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the use of the internet for research purposes will be developed.

  
  
• FTEC027 - BASIC ROAD ENGINEERING

  Course ID: FTEC027

  Name: BASIC ROAD ENGINEERING

  Hours: 38

  Credits: 1.5

  Students will become familiar with logging road design for both main haul and cutblock roads. There is an emphasis on landforms and their relationship to road design, stream classifications, buffers and crossings.

  
  
• FTEC028 - ADVANCED FOREST ENGINEERING

  Course ID: FTEC028

  Name: ADVANCED FOREST ENGINEERING

  Hours: 42

  Credits: 2

  Students get a more in-depth look at road engineering, including plan and profiles, cut and fill calculations, and horizontal and vertical curves. Students will use Road Eng Software to develop a forest road plan and profile.

  
  
• FTEC030 - FOREST MANAGEMENT

  Course ID: FTEC030

  Name: FOREST MANAGEMENT

  Hours: 15

  Credits: 1

  This course focuses on standard forest management practices with emphasis on sustainable forestry, integrated resource management, land management, and ecosystem management. The Forest Act Regulations, forest ethics, and forest practice codes will be discussed.

  
  
• FTEC031 - PETROLEUM LAND MANAGEMENT

  Course ID: FTEC031

  Name: PETROLEUM LAND MANAGEMENT

  Hours: 24

  Credits: 1

  This course is an introduction to petroleum land management in Alberta. Instruction will focus on land management as it pertains to the petroleum industry in Alberta. Brief introductions will be made in petroleum history and geology as well as roles of various government agencies, submission and reporting procedures, and acts and regulations that govern the petroleum industry in Alberta.

  
  
• FTEC032 - ABORIGINAL LAND MANAGEMENT

  Course ID: FTEC032

  Name: ABORIGINAL LAND MANAGEMENT

  Hours: 42

  Credits: 2

  Consultation on all land dispositions with Aboriginal communities must be considered. Guidelines for consultation and understanding Aboriginal culture will be discussed. Guidelines for a traditional land use study will be included in this course.

  
  
• FTEC033 - SILVICULTURE

  Course ID: FTEC033

  Name: SILVICULTURE

  Hours: 18

  Credits: 1

  This course covers the establishment, growing, and tending of new forests. Instruction focuses on reforestation techniques and other silvicultural practices.

  
  
• FTEC034 - INTERMEDIATE FOREST SCIENCES

  Course ID: FTEC034

  Name: INTERMEDIATE FOREST SCIENCES

  Hours: 24

  Credits: 1

  This course covers shrub and plant identification native to Alberta and tree species native to British Columbia; physiological processes of the tree including cell functions, reproduction and growth; and site factors that affect stand development, associations and succession.

  
  
• FTEC035 - REMOTE SENSING

  Course ID: FTEC035

  Name: REMOTE SENSING

  Hours: 24

  Credits: 1

  Aerial photo interpretation is a skill required by all field personnel. The use of aerial photos for planning purpose and field procedures are covered in this course.

  
  
• FTEC036 - ADVANCED WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

  Course ID: FTEC036

  Name: ADVANCED WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1

  This course gives students a chance to improve their wilderness survival skills. Students will be placed in a survival situation to gain confidence and experience to cope with a real survival situation.

  
  
• FTEC039 - GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS (GPS)

  Course ID: FTEC039

  Name: GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS (GPS)

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1.5

  The process and application of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are covered in this course including navigation, data collection, and data transfer using GPS software.

  
  
• FTEC040 - GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

  Course ID: FTEC040

  Name: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1

  Using GIS software, students will perform a range of GIS tasks including data management, data editing, map query, map production, and geographic analysis.

  
  
• FTEC041 - FOREST REGENERATION SURVEYS

  Course ID: FTEC041

  Name: FOREST REGENERATION SURVEYS

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1

  Students will learn field procedure to conduct and compile data from a regeneration survey.

  
  
• FTEC042 - WORK EXPERIENCE

  Course ID: FTEC042

  Name: WORK EXPERIENCE

  Hours: 120

  Credits: 3

  Students are placed with forest industry partners where they will assist in day-to-day field operations and learn valuable hands-on skills needed to be a successful employee.

  
  
• FTEC043 - REFORESTATION

  Course ID: FTEC043

  Name: REFORESTATION

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1

  This course provides students with the training required to supervise a tree planting project with emphasis on proper stock handling, tree planting techniques, and planting quality checks on a tree planting operation.

  
  
• FTEC044 - OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE SAFETY

  Course ID: FTEC044

  Name: OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE SAFETY

  Hours: 24

  Credits: 1

  This course provides provincial certification in both snowmobile safety and all-terrain vehicle safety. Other topics such as safe winching and trailering will be covered.

  
  
• FTEC201 - NAIT HARVEST PLANNING

  Course ID: FTEC201

  Name: NAIT HARVEST PLANNING

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 2

  Using GIS software, students will review data management, data editing map query, map production, and graphic analysis. Students will develop the necessary skills to create a harvest plan.

  
  
• FTEC202 - NAIT ADVANCED FOREST SCIENCES

  Course ID: FTEC202

  Name: NAIT ADVANCED FOREST SCIENCES

  Hours: 66

  Credits: 4

  This course covers detailed life processes of trees, forest soils, and their relationship to the forest ecosystem. Instruction focuses on classifying forest soils, describing and measuring soil physical properties. It also discusses how ecological processes affect forest growth.