Fleming College

Program Highlights

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.

• In an ideal combination of theory and technical hands-on experiences, your studies in the classroom will be complemented by numerous field excursions.
• You'll participate in the Forestry program's unique field camp experience in Mattawa, at Samuel de Champlain Park.
• In addition, you can increase your credentials (and career readiness and versatility) by taking certification courses such as forest fire fighting, first aid and CPR, tree marking and cutter certification (at a modest extra cost).

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.

Optional Co-op

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:

• Integrate classroom learning with work-based learning
• Explore the variety of careers available in the field
• Network for future job opportunities

The Co-op Option is not available for students who begin the program in January, as they attend classes over the summer.

International Exchange

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.

Success Stories

"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

Why Choose Fleming

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.

Common First Semester

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.

Work Experience

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.

Is this You?

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:

• a passion for forests, environment, outdoors
• problem-solving ability
• strong organizational skills
• good background in maths, sciences
• willingness to move for a career opportunity

Career Opportunities

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.

Globe and Mail: Wanted: A new generation of lumberjacks

Pathway Program

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.

Related Programs

When you graduate from the Forestry Technician program, you can continue on for a third year in Conservation and Environmental Law Enforcement or consider Geographic Information Systems for even more career opportunities. You might also consider doing a dual diploma, by taking another of our technician diploma programs. You can graduate with an additional technician diploma with just two more semesters of study.

Additional Costs

Plan to spend about $1,100 in the first year and $600 in the second year for books, supplies and camp fees.

Technology Requirements

Windows (ideal) or Mac computer. Information about hardware requirements can be found on the ArcGIS Desktop system requirements page.

Tuition and Fees Detail

Tuition and ancillary fees are subject to change without notice. The fees presented below reflect Fall start programs only for the current academic year. For details about the fee differences for other program start dates please refer to the Tuition and Fees Details Chart below.

Transfer Agreements

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.