North Island College’s (NIC) coastal log scaling program will return in October with a new part-time option.
Students who complete the program will learn common forestry industry terms, weigh scaling procedures and identification of commercial log species, according to NIC.
The eight-month program will combine online learning with in-person classroom and fieldwork instruction in the Nanaimo region.
“The fieldwork is an excellent opportunity for students to combine theory with applied learning,” said Bob Haugen, NIC continuing education manager. “The central location also means this training is more accessible to more students.”
Graduates will also be prepared to write the Ministry of Forest’s Coastal Log Scale exam, and if successful, obtain their licence to work in the industry.
Log scalers measure and categorize logs by species and grade to determine their volume and value with the BC metric scale. The BC metric scale drives the stumpage system – the tax the crown puts on logs coming out of the forest.
“It’s a key part of the forest industry and very rewarding work,” said program instructor Scott McKillop.
Applications for the training are open now.
