28 The Mainline Workforce, Human Resources, Labor tools to learn more. New tools, terminology, and safety concepts will be added to this pre-existing feature. While this program is designed for students, it needs the insight of experienced loggers and forest operators to ensure it presents an accurate and engaging picture of the industry. That’s why OSU Extension and AOL formed the Logging Safety Advisory Committee—a group of forestry professionals who will: • Review safety programing • Provide feedback • Help shape the future of this immersive program “We want to make sure that students aren’t just getting a general overview, but that they’re learning about real-world safety priorities from those who work in the industry every day,” says Grand. Associate Oregon Loggers to introduce essential safety concepts for students to understand that safety in logging is a major component of the job. The next phase of development will add key safety-focused updates, including: • PPE and Gear-Up Challenge—Before entering the virtual job site, students will need to select the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and understand its importance. • Equipment Safety Checks—Before they can operate heavy machinery, students will be prompted to complete a pre-use inspection to reinforce safe equipment practices. • Free-Roam Exploration Mode—This feature allows students to walk through a landing at their own pace, clicking on different machines and A New Generation’s First Step Into the Woods For students who already come from a forestry background, this program can reinforce what they’ve grown up around. But for those who’ve never considered logging or forestry before, Virtual Canopy could be their first step toward a career they never expected. By bringing the woods to the classroom, OSU Extension and AOL are helping the next generation discover the world of forestry—one VR headset at a time. For more information, contact: Lauren Grand, OSU Extension [email protected] 541.579.2150 Amanda Sullivan-Astor, AOL [email protected] 503.983.4017 Continued →
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