Forestry Technician FAQs
Learn the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions for the Forestry Technician Program.
Does this program have a placement opportunity?
Yes. A total of two weeks are spent on a voluntary placement in a resource-oriented organization chosen by the student, anywhere in the world. Should the opportunity arise, the student may choose instead to partake in an applied forestry research project supervised by the College and/or one of its partners. Students may register in the Provincial Log Scaling course in lieu of field placement. The cost of this course is in addition to the previously established program tuition.
Do I need to have any specific equipment before the start of the program?
Yes. Students should arrive with a CSA-approved hard hat and work or hiking boots, a Fox 40 whistle, a high visibility vest, and clear safety glasses. It is recommended that students have equipment to take pictures.
How will I travel to and from my field trips?
As a student registered in the Forestry Technician program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus, you will spend significant time in forests as your program has extensive field trips to enhance your learning experience. You will be expected to attend all of these field trips as part of your program of study. Many of the locations that students visit will be inaccessible by car, unsafe for parking your personal vehicle, or have limited space for parking. For this reason, students are strongly encouraged to purchase a bus pass through the Campus Proud Shop to ensure they don’t have to worry about transportation to and from field trip locations.
The cost of the bus pass is outlined below. Note that there are fewer field trips in the Winter months, so the bus cost is lower than in the Fall and Spring/Summer terms in your program.
- Fall: $245
- Winter: $130
- Spring: $375
You can purchase your bus pass through the Proud Shop during your program orientation day. If you are unable to attend your program orientation, the bus passes will be available during the first week of school in September by visiting the Proud Shop, which is located on the first floor of the campus, next to the library.
Is there an opportunity to earn industry certifications in this program?
Yes. To enhance their employment prospects, students must obtain a minimum of nine industry/government-recognized certificates or licenses from a list which includes: SP100 Forest Fire Fighter, OMNR Tree Marking, OMNR Land Management, Professional Chainsaw Operation, Bear Awareness and Night Navigation.
I am not sure if I should explore a university or college for this specialized education. What are my options?
Students contemplating taking Forestry at a university should seriously consider our program first, as we provide a one-year, hands-on, practical,
field-oriented program. Our articulation agreement or degree pathway with Lakehead University allows you to enter their Forestry or Forest Conservation program in the second year. We also have an articulation agreement with the University of New Brunswick in their Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management. As a result, it may take you less time to complete your degree or could result in a reduced course load. This means that you may enter the job market sooner and potentially save time and money.