24 The Mainline Workforce, Human Resources, Labor more young people are hearing about careers in logging early and often. That means more future recruits who actually want to be in the woods. • Industry-Backed Standards—The Forest Operator Industry-Recognized Credential (IRC) and OSU’s new simulator-based training are now being built with industry input to meet future real-world workforce needs. These aren’t generic training programs—they are being designed for logging companies like yours. So, what exactly are these new programs, and how can your business benefit? OSU’s New Forestry Certificate Programs—A Huge Win for Workforce Training Four new certificate programs are launching through OSU’s Simulator Lab, designed to train future forestry professionals at different levels: • Forest Machine Management Certificate (FMMC)—Focuses on equipment management and efficiency at the undergraduate level. • Mechanized Forestry Technician Certificate (MFTC)—A hands-on training program through UCC to develop technical logging skills. • Forest Machine Operator Certificate (FMOC)—A professional certificate that trains operators in machine use, onboard mapping, and production software—skills that can immediately transfer to real-world operations. • Introduction to Mechanized Forest Harvesting (IMFH)—A high schoollevel Career and Technical Education (CTE) program that introduces students to logging careers early. Why should you care? These programs are fully-funded by a $383,730 Future Ready Oregon grant—a funding pool that AOL helped shape by serving on HECC’s Why This Matters for Your Business If you’ve ever struggled to hire skilled workers or spent valuable time and money training new employees from the ground up, these new programs are designed with you in mind. • Pre-trained, Job-Ready Talent— Imagine hiring someone who already knows logging terminology, scaling methods, and how to operate equipment. These new programs help filter in serious, prepared candidates before they ever apply for a job. • Stronger Industry Exposure—Our work with OSU, Future Natural Resource Leaders (FNRL), and Umpqua Community College (UCC) means Finding and keeping skilled employees is one of the biggest challenges our member companies face. The reality is that the workforce pipeline for logging and forestry is shrinking, while the demands of modern operations are growing. But, what if the industry had a direct hand in shaping training programs, vetting new talent, and ensuring job-ready candidates, before they even step onto a landing? Thanks to new training programs, grant funding, and industry-backed credentialing, the logging workforce pipeline is about to get stronger—and Associated Oregon Loggers members have a front-row seat to benefit. Building the Future Workforce Insights from Convention Panel ›By Amanda Sullivan-Astor, Forest Policy Manager
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