25 March 2025 Workforce, Human Resources, Labor Continued → ; Log Scaling—Measuring and sorting logs, using professional scaling techniques. ; Compass & Pacing—Navigating terrain using GPS, compass, and waypoints. ; Map Reading—Interpreting maps, slopes, and roads to plan safe logging routes. ; Prepared Speech on Health & Safety—Presenting an OSHA-related or industry safety topic. On top of that, students choose two elective skills, such as chainsaw bucking, choker setting, tree climbing, cable splicing, or fire school participation. This means that future graduates of the program would already have fundamental logging knowledge before entering the workforce. Instead of hiring an inexperienced high school graduate, and hoping they adapt—you can hire credentialed recruits who have already been vetted and trained in core industry skills. identify the most serious, safety-conscious high school graduates—before they even fill out a job application? That’s exactly what the new Forest Operator Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) is designed to do in the future. Developed by FNRL and AOL, this future credential ensures that students complete real-world, industry-endorsed skills training before entering the workforce. When the program is implemented in 2026, students must complete seven core training events to earn their credential: ; First Aid & Communication— Emergency response and first-aid skills (judged by professional first responders). ; Tool Identification & Terminology— Recognizing essential logging tools and common safety terms. ; Tree Identification—Identifying merchantable species and hazardous plants. Manufacturing Industry Consortia. That means we helped craft the grant language to ensure it met the scoring committee’s priorities—ultimately securing funding for logging industry training instead of letting it go elsewhere. Even better, our members were directly involved in securing this win. Alongside UCC, Melcher Logging, Papé Machinery, John Deere, and FNRL, AOL helped OSU obtain this funding to expand the Simulator Lab and bring mechanized forestry training to more people. This is a huge future recruitment advantage. Now, potential employees can train on equipment before ever stepping onto a real worksite, reducing your company’s liability and time spent teaching basic skills. Industry Recognized Credential: Identifying the Best High School Recruits Recruiting young talent has always been tough. But what if there was a way to
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