Apr 20, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Calendar 
    
2023-2024 Academic Calendar [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Learn More About Coastal Forest Worker Certificate


NIC’s Coastal Forest Worker certificate encompasses a wide range of forestry theory and applied learning to prepare you for a career in the coastal forest sector and for further advanced education. This comprehensive program will provide you a foundation in silviculture, harvesting, occupational safety, surveying, timber cruising, grading, scaling and overall resource management.

Through this certificate, you’ll gain a theoretical understanding and applied skills needed for entry-level employment in the forest sector, including:

  • forest resource management and forest sector roles and practices
  • health and safety
  • essential field skills
  • forest ecology and tree/wildlife identification
  • timber cruising
  • forest engineering
  • coastal harvesting systems, including safe work practices, log handling and sorting and business operations
  • worksite readiness skills, including conflict resolution, career development, communication, team work, and computer literacy
  • practical application of skills and knowledge in the work setting, including opportunity to work alongside forestry workers in the field

This certificate also includes industry certifications. You’ll be eligible for:

  • BCFSC Forest Foundations certification
  • industry certifications including:
    • Occupational First Aid Level 1
    • Basic S100 Fire Suppression & Safety
    • Wildfire Entrapment Avoidance
    • Fall Protection
    • WHMIS

Career Opportunities

As a graduate, you’ll be prepared to work safely and productively in a range of entry-level forestry and harvesting positions, including timber cruising compasser or cruiser-in-training.

You will also be able to:

  • perform field measurements to support resource surveys, stewardship, and development
  • carry out job-specific duties taking into consideration the related legislation and regulations
  • identify key environmental, cultural and socio-economic considerations that influence environmental stewardship, and apply that knowledge in decision-making
  • demonstrate a greater awareness of Indigenous cultures within the context of forest management and cultural use
  • recognize the value of relationships in building capacity for intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and success
  • describe ecosystem characteristics and explain how management practices affect their interactions and function
  • collect, manage and display data using a variety of current and emerging technology, mapping tools, and industry software
  • demonstrate effective radio communication in accordance with relevant road use, hazard, and emergency policy and procedures
  • effectively communicate technical information to supervisors, colleagues and stakeholders
  • work independently and collaboratively while applying effective teamwork, leadership and communication skills
  • develop strategies for conducting successful job search activities and ongoing professional development in the forestry sector

Supply list

You are responsible for obtaining the following supplies and field tools.

Field Equipment - (please see the downloadable PDF below the list for equipment specifications and examples)

  • caulk boots
  • Hiking boots
  • high-vis rain gear
  • high visibility vest
  • hard hat with visor and ear protectors
  • safety glasses
  • compass
  • field book (waterproof)
  • rite-in-rain note paper
  • 3” binder & note paper
  • flash drive
  • pens, pencils, highlighters and eraser iPad & environmental case


iPad and environmental case tech specs:

  • iPad mini or iPad Air (mini is often preferred for field work)
  • 64 GB or higher
  • MUST be Wi-fi + Cellular and GPS enabled (must be able to take a SIM card, but you do not need a data plan)
  • Android tablet alternatives are available but please confirm with the program lead

Download the Supply List PDF