RADF Investment: $820,000

Other Investment: $639,153

Total Investment: $1,459,153

Project Period: August 2007–August 2011

T: 780.849.8724
E: [email protected]

Project Description

To be globally competitive, forestry industry workers need to have knowledge, skills, and best practices that enable safe, environmental, and efficient forest resource development. This project, which operates out of Slave Lake, provides courses and training for Alberta front-line forestry workers that did not exist before in Western Canada. Part of the Rural Alberta Development Fund's investment went to creating new and innovative teaching resources like forest hauler-equipment simulators and up-to-date methods for achieving sustainable harvests. Content and curriculum is developed by the Woodlands Operations Learning Foundation in Slave Lake and offered to students via Northern Lakes College's many campuses.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

All projects go through a selection process to ensure they will improve the quality of life for Albertans. This project meets this objective through the following outcomes and benefits:

• Increased skill set for forest workers and increased employability of youth, women, and Aboriginals
• Address labour shortage in forestry industry
• Attract more people to front-line forest jobs as a career choice
• Increase health and safety of workers through additional education
• Improve environmental management of Alberta’s forests
• Support sustainable resource development with the latest technologies and methods