A Maine logging industry program focuses on growing the workforce
Courtesy / Mechanized Logging Operations Program
Last week's graduation ceremony for Maine's only college training program for operators of mechanized logging equipment was held in Summit Township, where the 12-week summer program took place.
Maine's workforce-challenged logging industry has a dozen new workers after last week's graduation ceremony for the latest group to complete a 12-week hands-on training program.
The program was jointly developed by the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine and Northern Maine, Eastern Maine and Washington County community colleges, with support from industry partners. With this summer's recently graduated group, 60 trainees have gone through the program.
Besides learning about timber growth, tree species and markets, students are taught how to operate equipment so that they are career-ready upon graduation. Maine loggers contribute significantly to the state's forest products sector, which is worth an estimated $7.7 billion annually.
Out of last week's training-program graduates, nine have committed to jobs and three are evaluating options, a spokesman for the program told Mainebiz, adding, "We expect 100% placement."
Students in the 12-week Mechanized Logging Operations Program spent the summer and early fall in Summit Township, where the graduation ceremony was held.
Tony Madden, president of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, congratulated the students on their achievement and on their career choice.
“We welcome you all to the team of logging professionals, the training you have received in this program has given you many options,” Madden said. “You should have no problem finding work ... My advice is to find work with a logging contractor that takes pride in their work, preferably a PLC contractor, in the long run, you won’t regret it.”
Tim Crowley, president of Northern Maine Community College, said the program has been successful because of strong collaboration between the college, industry partners and the PLC, and is a model for future programs.
“It’s people working together, and this is the best example in the state of Maine,” Crowley said.
Last week's graduates included: Andrew Hatchell of Readfield; Andrew McLaughlin of Bangor; Benjamin Carroll of Dixfield; Christopher Glidden of Carroll Plantation; David Lessard of Jackman; Dawson Chauette of Waterboro; Junior Tyler of Farmington; Josh Clark of Brewer; Nathan Bacon of Sidney; Nathan Hilton of Bryant Pond; Robert Stuart of Bridgton; and Colton Carlow of Peru. All who enrolled completed the program.
Supported by the Maine Community College System’s Maine Quality Centers, students pay no tuition or fees, and the program provides all required personal protective equipment. Maine Quality Centers develops and supports skilled in-demand and high wage occupations in Maine through a variety of training opportunities.
While the logging industry has undergone some contraction in recent years, the demand for skilled operators of mechanized equipment remains strong.
Many current operators are reaching retirement age and the steep costs of training new operators is driving up demand and wages. Mechanized logging operators are among the highest paid members of the logging workforce.
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