October 17, 2006 - 5:00pm
Malaspina University-College’s new Faller Training program, offered in partnership with the BC Forest Safety Council, has received full industry backing with a list of generous donations.
Since the six-week program started in August, everything from industry-grade saws, 9,000 cubic meters of timber, safety chains, oil, and axes have been donated by corporations and local businesses to help the students get the best possible education.
“This program requires students to purchase a long list of supplies. However, with the generous donations from corporate vendors, our students saved a great deal of money,” said Marion Knost, contract training coordinator for Malaspina University-College’s Centre for Continuing Studies.
“These donations also show that the whole community has been really receptive to this initiative.”
"Falling companies have come to the site to observe the students and recruit them for positions," said Jennifer Merner, Faller Training program coordinator. "The first intake of the program is now complete and all students have been offered atleast one position, and some more than one.”
The Faller Training program was established because the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), the International Woodworkers of America (IWA), independent fallers and forest companies wanted to increase worker safety in the forestry industry. They determined one of the primary causes of falling accidents is a lack of a standardized comprehensive training program for fallers.
The Malaspina program includes five days of classwork, which was held at the Parksville Qualicum Centre, followed by 25 days of closely supervised field training. The training is then complete and includes a practical examination.
Two of the most generous donations were class sets of saws and saw tools from Stihl and Husqvarna. The saws will be used for the program and upgraded and maintained by the companies for the lifetime of the saws.
“The saws are one of the most important tools in this line of work, so by having new well-maintained saws, we will be able to maximize instructional time,” said Knost.
Another major donation is 9,000 cubic meters of timber from Island Timberlands Northwest Bay Division, where students complete closely supervised field training.
Other companies who made donations include Midland Tools, Oregon Chains, Westwood Marine, Ono Trading, and RB Vision.
"It is now mandatory for all fallers in BC to be certified, and due to an aging workforce, new fallers are in high demand,” said Knost.
The next new Faller Training program begins October 30, with six additional intakes across the province during 2007. For more information go to http://www.viu.ca/nrep/forestry/fallertraining or contact Malaspina’s Centre for Continuing Studies in Nanaimo at (250) 740-6160 or the Parksville Qualicum Centre at (250) 248-2096.
Tags: In the Community
