The Forestry Technician career path will appeal to you if you are passionate about the outdoors, and concerned for the responsible management of forest resources.
Program Availability:
Accepting Applications
View Curriculum
Program Availability:
Accepting Applications
Program Code:
FT
Delivery:
In Person , TBD
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Academic School:
School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences
Location:
Program Contacts
View Curriculum
As a Forestry Technician, you can be a part of a close-knit community of men and women across the country who are making a difference in our environment. Fleming College's Forestry program is the largest in Canada. In this two-year program, you'll acquire the skills to work effectively in natural resources management - learning traditional forestry skills such as compassing and tree identification, plus how to work with ArcMap, GPS and other high tech software.
You will learn the fundamental skills you need in semesters one and two. In semester three, three of the courses are designed to mimic typical forestry career skills. You will achieve skills that include navigating large forest tracts, evaluating current stand conditions, and mapping routes. As your skills grow, you will start taking charge of your own learning. Your forestry courses will become more intensive and specialized.
You will work in teams to develop a Woodlot Conference for over 100 high school students. It's a chance to practice coaching, public speaking, planning and teamwork while teaching these students basic forestry skills. You will also work with the local woodlot group to deliver their annual conference and attend the largest forestry conference in Ontario.
A course on career planning and mapping will help you put it all together, ready for your job search.
Students entering the program in September may apply to participate in an optional paid co-op. The deadline to apply is at the end of November, where students must submit an Application Form (including a resume) to the Co-op Office. Students must achieve a 70% (2.5 GPA) average, and pass all courses in Semester 1 in order to be enrolled in the Co-op Option. Students who are accepted will participate in a Career Preparation course, and will do their co-op between semesters 2 and 3. The Co-op Option provides the opportunity to:
The Co-op Option is not available for students who begin the program in January, as they attend classes over the summer.
Want to gain an international perspective on forestry? Through an international exchange program, you can visit Europe for as little as three weeks or as long as one semester, attending courses at our partner institution - the University of Padua in Legnaro, Italy.
With a smaller college size and such a positive learning atmosphere it made me excited about going to class each and every day. All the teachers and field trips truly provided me with the knowledge and tools to achieve great careers in the forestry industry. Since graduating, I've worked with the OMNRF as an Assistant Forest Technician where I collected research data on invasive insects and diseases that are drastically altering the landscapes of our forests. We also tested out many preventative measures for possible solutions to ensure the next generation of trees are healthy and managed. Currently, I am working in the recently burned areas of northern British Columbia. I have been mapping boundaries for different types of cut blocks, probing for invasive species, assessing the health of trees, and performing silviculture surveys in stands affected by fungal diseases.
Sara Franchuk, Program Graduate - Junior Forestry Technician with a Forestry resource management company in British Columbia
Four decades of producing excellent grads has the close-knit forestry industry seeking out more for new hiring opportunities every year. Our grads are now in a position to hire new grads, and are doing so as a result of their own positive experiences in the program. Fleming's Forestry program has an excellent reputation for producing top-notch, competent technicians for a wide variety of agencies, companies, and organizations. The Forestry grad is highly sought after by government ministries, agencies, and forestry companies - including, for example, the B.C. Forestry Service and the Nova Scotia government's ministries of natural resources and the environment. Employers recognize that the students' training is holistic, and prepares them for a wide variety of tasks and duties.
Many of our programs offer the opportunity to earn a second certificate or diploma with just one or two more semesters of study. Add another specialization to your skill set and increase your career prospects with this unique opportunity.
Learn more here or contact your program coordinator for more information.
Students in our School’s diploma programs take the same courses for first semester after choosing and being accepted into one of our programs. This common focus exposes you to a variety of career options and other programs. You will have the freedom to explore and obtain a multidisciplinary perspective, while you acquire a base of knowledge and fundamental skills.
Although students are accepted into a specific program for their first semester, the common first semester allows you to change direction if you find another program or career area is more appealing. Once you have successfully completed the common first semester, you can enter the program of your choice in second semester, subject to enrolment capacity.
Geoff Clark is the Coordinator for Common First Semester.
There are many practical, hands-on opportunities throughout the program. You'll have the opportunity to participate in our field camp, practicing your forestry skills while developing teamwork skills.
Forestry Technicians are responsible for resource management planning and protection. Experience working in parks, nature centres, or similar venues, either as a volunteer or employee, would be an asset. Your success in forestry will be greatly helped if you have:
For information on the variety of careers in forestry and the growing need for skilled forestry employees, visit: http://thegreenestworkforce.ca
There are career opportunities anywhere there is a forest, in rural, wilderness, and urban settings. Major employers in the field seek to hire Fleming graduates, so there are many career opportunities straight out of college. You could find yourself working for hydroelectric companies, conservation authorities, municipalities, forest industry (woodlands, sawmills, pulp mills), government agencies, forest nurseries, federal/provincial forestry-related ministries, and private contractors both within Canada and abroad. Job titles you may hold include forest ecosystem assessor, firefighter, silviculture technician, forest technician, conservation authority technician, forest operation supervisor, and forest planner. With additional training, you could also work as a forester. There are lots of opportunities for women! Employers of Forestry Technicians are after brains, not brawn in the men and women they hire.
If you do not meet the admission requirements for Forestry Technician, consider the General Arts and Science – Environmental and Natural Resource Studies Option. This pathway program may provide the requirements you need for admission, while you earn credit for first semester of Forestry Technician.
Plan to spend about $1,100 in the first year and $600 in the second year for books, supplies and camp fees.
The Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) is an option available to students studying in the Forestry Technician program. To qualify for the IPD, students must take and successfully complete GNED49 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies and GNED128 - Indigenous Knowledges, along with a minimum of four approved co-curricular Indigenous events or experiences that will be incorporated into the final portfolio assignment in GNED128. The student's transcript will indicate the IPD designation. Upon graduation, students with an IPD will have a strong foundational basis in Indigenous Studies, and a designation that will be marketable in the employment sector.
Students applying to Forestry Technician (Optional Co-op) must meet the following requirements:
Windows (ideal) or Mac computer. Information about hardware requirements can be found on the ArcGIS Desktop system requirements page.
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Algoma University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Algoma University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Griffith University's admissions website.
Visit the Griffith University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Lakehead University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Lakehead University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Lakehead University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Seneca College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the University of New Brunswick's admissions website.
Visit the University of New Brunswick website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the University of Northern British Columbia's admissions website.
Visit the University of Northern British Columbia website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
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