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Grad cap icon Diploma
icon Priority admission for Indigenous students 
icon International applicants welcome 

This is an academic credit program offered through the Faculty of Trades and Technology.

Program partners

Forest Professionals of BC logo

Technology Accreditation Canada seal

 

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Location

Length

Delivery

Campbell River
Fall
2 years In-person
Full-time

Applications open.

Overview

This two-year, nationally accredited program is designed in collaboration with industry experts. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning. You'll graduate with the skills and knowledge to succeed in BC's forestry sector.

You’ll learn:
  • Ecology
  • Silviculture
  • Forest measurements and operations
  • Sustainable resource management
  • Coastal forest systems
  • Cultural resource management
  • Occupational safety

You'll also learn about the latest technologies and practices in the industry. This means your skills will match current trends and innovations in forest management.

After graduation, you can work in forestry, resource management and environmental stewardship and become a Trainee Forest Technologist (TFT).

You can also pursue becoming a Registered Forest Technologist (RFT) with the Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP). This lets you work in forest planning, operations, management, or consulting.

Apply now

Requirements and courses

Supplies

You're responsible for obtaining the following supplies and field tools.

Field Equipment  
  • Caulk boots
  • Hiking boots
  • High-visibility rain gear
  • High visibility vest
  • Hard hat with visor and ear protectors
  • Safety glasses
  • Compass
  • Field book (waterproof)
  • Rite-in-rain note paper
  • Three-inch binder and note paper
  • Flash drive
  • Pens, pencils, highlighters, eraser, iPad and environmental case
iPad and environmental case tech specs
  • iPad mini or iPad Air (mini is often preferred for field work) with capacity of 64GB or higher
  • Must be Wi-fi and 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 

Careers

Employment options with the successful completion of the diploma program include work as a timber cruiser, forest engineer, wildfire specialist, operations technologist, riparian assessor, forest health surveyor, silvicultural technician, GIS analyst, timber appraiser specialist or as a forest protection officer. 

$62,172*

Annual median estimated earnings for forestry technologists and technicians in BC.

Career profile
*based on WorkBC data

Costs

Check the table below for estimated costs for the full program.

Curious about funding?

Financial support is available. Learn more about financial aid and awards.

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

By the end of this diploma program, students will be able to identify and demonstrate forest technologists’ skills. The program covers forest measurements, silviculture, operations and protection. Students will also learn to integrate Indigenous knowledge in planning and management, as well as describe and assess forest ecosystems, conduct inventory surveys, mitigate forest health impacts and apply wildfire prevention. 

The Coastal Forest Worker Certificate program is a foundational program that meets the admissions requirements for this Coastal Forest Technology Diploma program. 

Graduates will have the opportunity to apply through the ABCFP to become a Trainee Forest Technologist (TFT) on the pathway to becoming a Registered Forest Technologist (RFT) upon completion. 
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Still have questions?

Get in touch with our Future Students team.

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