Managing forests for renewable wood products, wildlife, clean water, and carbon storage and sequestration takes a longtime vision over a planning horizon that spans many decades.
We need to put the same effort into assuring that a reliable and skilled workforce is available to implement forest plans to meet the societal needs over the same planning horizon.
- Tim O’Hara, The Hill
A G E N D A
The Problem
The Goal Requirements
The Options
The Audience
DEI
Academic Component
The Logistics and Considerations
Career Connected
Examples
Next Steps
Labor shortages
Aging workforce: Example - average age of logging business owners is 55+
Forestry workforce challenges are not only impacting the forest products sector (and greater economy) but also the ability to implement reforestation, improve forest health, reduce the risk of wildfire, and protect communities
T H E P R O B L E M C O N T I N U E D
Internships and apprenticeships are the missing link between forestry education and careers in industry.
Currently there is a dearth of forestryrelated opportunities for young people, especially for those not in college.
Career Connect WA is the hub for career launch opportunities. These are the only opportunities listed that are related to forestry...
T H E G O A L
To increase forestry “Career Launch”
opportunities in Washington/PNW in order for young people (18-30) to gain the skills, training, and education needed to enter into employment.
- On-the-job training
- Paid
- Academic component / credit
- Industry-recognized credential
Traditional 8-12 week internship
4-week mini-internship or weekend-only
Co-op internship (1 week at each site, WFCA is coordinator)
Natural Resources Co-op internship (not just forestry)
Worksite internships through schools (summer or school year)
Pre-apprenticeship Apprenticeship (with or without dual enrollment)
T H E A U D I E N C E
With current labor shortages and decreasing workforce participation for 18-24 year olds, it’s important to cast a wider net and engage communities that have previously not been the audience for forestry careers.
Underserved communities:
Native/indigenous
Non-traditional students (Open Doors)
Justice-involved
BIPOC
Rural
Women/girls
D E I
Forestry is predominantly male and white.
Only about 20% of the workforce is female.
How can we encourage individuals not represented at in the industry to feel safe and comfortable in this internship, and in potential careers?
Not feeling comfortable /valued/allowed to be authentic self will decrease probability that individuals will want to continue in forestry.
Internship ideas:
Have group leader act as buffer /moderator/”translator”
Try to provide internal support within cohort so that no one is the only girl/woman, only person of color, etc…
Next Generation Zone - Spokane, WA
Non-traditional students, 18+
Not beholden to traditional school/summer schedule
60% of students doing some kind of online learning so online forestry works credential would fit in NGZ program has funding to pay students
WFCA would hold master worksite agreement, but could have external subsites Transportation is big hurdle
Interested in not going to college and working outside
*BUT* No concept of what forestry is - need awareness event before committing to an internship (field trip or similar)
A C A D E M I C C O M P O
N E N T
Build on PEI forestry frameworks and YESS program (Career Prep)
Connect to GCAS online bachelors program to offer practicum experience credit and/or certificates
Micro-credentials
See North Island College in BC for micro-credential examples
Partner with ForestryWorks to offer Forest Worker Training Course (or one of their other offerings) as online compliment to hands-on OTJ host site experience
S Y S T E M S
The YESS Program model is grounded in collaboration between PEI, school districts, skill centers, and local natural resource organizations as part of the Career Connect Washington system. YESS high school participants earn summer school credit while building their job skills and exploring careers in natural resources. Over their five to six weeks in the program, students’ classroom time is paired with hands-on service activities at community partner sites. The program culminates as students present their restoration visions for a site they visited during their experience.
180 hour program - stipend is $1800
8-16 students per cohort
Summer program, not quite an internship
Can be summer or integrated into the school year
Good for students who need credit to graduate
PEI is Looking to expand program: Currently 6 locations - 4 restoration ecology, 2 forestry, 1 separate : Tumwater (forestry), Pine River (forestry), Glenwood & Yakima (restoration ecology)
Want to have 8-12 locations
Need more funding for stipends
Go from document of competency to industryrecognized certificate
F O R E S T R Y W O R K S
Online Forest Worker Training Certificate program
Online with field component
Can be utilized by different organizations simultaneously
WCC expressed interest in an online forestry course to compliment Americorps training
Requires an exam to pass, may need credentialed instructors
Provides Industry-recognized Credential to program participants
Approximately $100,000 to implement and $100,000 program annual costs
L O G I S T I C S
Time of year
Summer = wildfire season
Health issues with working outside
Foresters go to East side and may be busy
Eastside vs Westside have different timing challenges, and different opportunities
Shoulder season or winter could work
Post-high school or alternative high school
audience do not have school year limitations
Mills don’t shut down during fire season
Compensation stipend? how much? funding source?
How to publicize internship?
Career Connect WA
Ag & Nat Res Center of Excellence
What to do if don’t get enough participation
Housing
Utilize small forest landowners for camping
Transportation
Rent a van
DEI
Old foresters don’t want to interact with youth
BIPOC youth may not feel comfortable in majority white spaces
Urban youth may not feel comfortable outdoors
Place-based
Reflect the region its held in May not be “Scalable” because needs to reflect each region covertype/industry/jobs landscape
Legal
Liability insurance
Workers Comp
Access to working lands
O T H E R C O N S I D E R A T I O N S
What age group
High School / Open Doors
Post high school
College vs not college
Military/Veterans
Age min/max?
What size cohort?
Span of control (5)
Fixed vs roaming
What area of Washington?
Structure
Overall length (hearing many students want
shorter opportunities ~ 4 weeks)
Length of days/ days per week
Application process
Project-based or problem-based
Themes per week?
What are the goals?
exposure/awareness to Forestry sector
Teach forestry skills (PEI forestry framework)
Part of program is connecting participants to employment right after, if so wished
Who is going to be involved?
WASIC, WFCA
Private industry?
Who is administering the program?
WFCA
What is the application process/requirements?
Look at example internship descriptions
Program evaluations Safety
Code of conduct
Emergency Action Plan
W H A T ’ S I N A N A M E ?
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related supplemental instruction under the supervision of a journey-level professional.
Internship
Registered apprenticeships must be approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council. Apprentices learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation, and achieve journey level status. They typically earn a percentage of a journey level wage, but it cannot be less than the state minimum wage.
An internship is work-related learning for individuals who want hands-on experience. Under certain conditions, interns may perform unpaid work. The test for determining whether an intern is paid as an employee depends on who benefits from the work completed.
The United States Department of Labor provides guidance under federal law.
Can an internship be paid?
An intern may receive compensation during their internship, but this cannot be in the form of a regular wage. Compensation that is not intended to be a wage may be acceptable, this could include a stipend or reimbursement for expenses incurred during the internship.
Employers should also consult state
Administrative
Policy ES.C.2, Hours
Worked for additional guidance on state law. Due to changes in federal law, this policy is under review.
If an employer pays a regular wage similar to other employees, the intern is an employee.
C A R E E R C O N N E C T E D
The Career Launch endorsement application is designed to verify that a program meets the definition of Career Launch. Career Launch programs combine meaningful, high-quality on-the- job experience with classroom learning. These programs include registered apprenticeships, which are automatically endorsed, and Career Launch programs in the K-12, community and technical college, and 4-year systems, which have to go through the Career Launch endorsement review process.
The Career Launch endorsement review process is overseen by the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges.
Please note: Registered apprenticeships programs are automatically endorsed as Career Launch programs and do not need to go through the endorsement review process.
Examples
L E A R N I N G F R O M I N N O V A T I V E I N T E R N S H I P S
Learn from AJAC - aerospace industry got together to create an innovative apprenticeship program that ensures future skilled workers.
“AJAC is an industry-driven apprenticeship organization, founded on the belief that mastery occurs on the job. Through pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship and adult apprenticeship, all people have the opportunity to earn competitive wages, find meaningful and fulfilling work, and pursue lifelong learning.
We use a variety of training models to capture the fundamental skills required across many industries matching your employment needs from Entry-Level through highly skilled Journey-Level workers.
AJAC works across the Pacific Northwest in a variety of advanced manufacturing industries partnering with employers, colleges, school districts, prisons, community-based organizations, and workforce development centers to bring apprenticeships to the 21st century.
AJAC offers a method for transferring the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills between generations of the workforce, thus promoting the value of contributing to the next generation.”
Another example is Traditional Trades Advancement Program TTAP
S E M E S T E R P R O G R A M
“From seed to plate, from calf to milk, Venture Semester allows young adults to discover every aspect of food. Corps Members live and learn together as a crew of eight guided by Crew Leaders. They camp out together on the Farm at VYCC in yurts nestled between trees and surrounded by open pastureland. This year, participants are enjoying the experience from September 12 through November 4. These bright students come from Vermont and places around the United States. They are eagerly on track to learn from farmers, expert teachers, and agricultural leaders what it really takes to grow food. The best part is, no prior farming experience is needed.
9 week immersive residential program
Crew of 8 with 2 crew leaders
Home base (yurts) and roaming (camping)
Involved tours, work projects, volunteer projects, job shadowing, educational visits, camping, life skills, travel, and ecotourism
Participants learn as much about themselves and their place in the world as they do about food systems and agriculture. They improve critical thinking, advanced writing and technical skills, and have the opportunity to explore Vermont colleges.”
2 4-week sessions
5 days a week, 6 hours a day
4 work days a week on land trust properties,
1 external education/field-trip day a week
Flex week in between sessions for interns to make up missed days
Main tasks:
maintaining trails, lining trails, cleaning out waterbars, picking up trash, building walkways, restoring historic stonewalls, constructing benches, pulling burning bush, limbing up cedars, removing vines, moving brush, pruning trees and trails, on-site subject matter experts talks
Crews of 5 with 1 leader
Van rented for field trips
$600 stipend upon completion ($150 per week, based on performance at discretion of crew leader) contingent on evaluation completion post-internship
Examples
L E A R N I N G F R O M T R A D I T I O N A L I N T E R N S H I P S
I
N T E R N S H I P & S C H O L A R S H I P ( W A S T A T E )
PROGRAM DETAILS
The purpose of the Green Diamond Opportunity Internship Program is to expose students interested in forestry and natural resources and help them navigate, grow, and thrive in the profession. The program is intended for students who are currently pursuing academic degrees in an accredited college of forestry or natural resources and to help them achieve their academic goals. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
Criteria
Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program (associate or bachelor’s) in forestry or related natural resource program at a US institution.
Interested in encouraging and promoting a culture of inclusion within the profession.
Internship
Preferred fields of study include forestry, fisheries, wildlife biology or relevant Natural Resource based disciplines. Successful candidates will be selected for a paid internship lasting up to 12-weeks.
Scholarship
Interns will be required to submit a secondary application near the end of the internship to be considered for the scholarship. If awarded, the scholarship will be up to $3,000.
Location & Housing
This internship is located in Shelton, Washington. Housing or a stipend towards housing may be available for interns out of the area.
Position Summary:
Maintain Planting Sites: Intern will help maintain existing planting sites. This is done by safely utilizing tools such as brush-cutters and mowers and also includes manual watering
Plant Native Trees and Shrubs: Intern will help plant both bare root plants and stakes in the riparian zone utilizing shovels, planting bars and sand-filled-hammers.
Invasive Weed Control: Intern will work to safely control invasive weeds by mechanical means (utilizing a brush cutter). Control will also include treating various weeds by applying herbicides utilizing a backpack sprayer.
Other Duties: Assist other District staff as needed, i.e. water data collection, fish trap data collection • Operate watercraft used to access select work sites • Collecting environmental field data • Remove wildlife/livestock exclusion
fencing • Practice proper tool maintenance • Other duties may be assigned
Physical Requirements
• Able to perform physically demanding manual labor outdoors on difficult and hazardous terrain in all types of weather.
• Capable of lifting 50 lbs., walking 3 miles daily over uneven terrain, and operating a brush cutter for 6-8 hours a day.
• Able to safely operate hand and power tools such as brush cutters water pumps, chainsaws, power auger, small tractors, planting bars, and pruners.
• Capable of bending, squatting, kneeling, lifting overhead, and other repetitive movements.
Schedule and Compensation:
This is a 6-month internship that includes a VCC stipend of $2,400/month for a full-time internship (~40 hours/week)
to help cover living expenses.
A typical work week will be five 8- hour days from Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Position open until filled.
• Must be a veteran of the United States Uniformed Services to be eligible for this position
• Must have dependable transportation to and from the Chehalis Tribe DNR office on the Chehalis Tribe Reservation.
• Must be able to work Monday-Friday.
• Successfully pass pre-employment Drug Screen
• Be able to safely operate a motor vehicle and possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
• Successfully pass a Criminal Background Check.
The following may disqualify an applicant from consideration or continued program participation:
Any felony conviction
Any domestic violence violations, convictions or restraints
Any violations, convictions or restraints for actions made against children or vulnerable adults
Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
This is considered an entry-level position and no experience is required. Applicants with the following skills, knowledge, and abilities will be given preference:
• Currently possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license
• Experience implementing safety practices in the field with and without supervision
• Able to work outside in inclement weather conditions
• Able to take direction and work as a member of a team • Motivated and enthusiastic
• Excellent attention to detail
• Basic computer skills and data entry skills (Microsoft Word and Excel)
Training
All necessary training required to perform the essential functions/duties is provided on the job. In addition to onthe-job training, this position may include the following formal trainings and certifications to aid in personal & professional development:
• Whole Farm Planning and Agricultural Entrepreneurship
• Other trainings/certifications as available and desired by intern
T E C H N I Q U E S I N T E R N S H I P
Several internship positions are available each summer through The Evergreen State College (TESC) for Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in Olympia, Washington. This internship program provides hands-on field experience. Interns collect and analyze environmental data gathered from WSDOT wetland compensatory mitigation sites.
Internship Duration: June 26 to Sept. 7, 2023
Days/hours: Monday through Wednesday: approximately
8-10 hours/day, and Thursday: approximately 4 hours, up to 34 hours/week
Most field activities focus on vegetation sampling and plant identification. Interns use quantitative and qualitative monitoring methods to conduct vegetation surveys. They use statistical methods to evaluate quantitative data. The internship includes other activities such as evaluating soils, hydrology and wildlife, as time allows.
Prerequisites: You must enroll in TESC summer school and pay appropriate tuition. For additional information, please see The Evergreen State College tuition rates website. Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify.
Most weeks include three field days (M-W 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and one half-day instructional day (Th 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), though some variation occurs in the 11-week schedule.
Credit options: 6-16 undergraduate or 4 graduate
Evergreen State - $261.50 per credit resident, $994.20 per credit non-resident
Compensation: $4,500 taxable gross income (You pay tuition; we provide this payment to help support costs.)
W S D O T I N T E R N S H I P
How to apply
Submit the following required materials by April 6, 2023, to Sean Patrick, Sean.Patrick@wsdot.wa.gov:
An application (DOCX 22KB)
A resume
A list of three references, including contact information
Candidate selection
We encourage students from a broad variety of backgrounds to apply. We are particularly interested in students with the following skills and academic preparation: A degree in (or near completion) the natural, environmental or biological sciences. Experience in the use of a technical plant key. Coursework in wetlands ecology, botany and statistics. Plant and wildlife identification skills.
Required texts & equipment
Interns need the following texts and equipment listed below before the first day of service:
Rubber knee boots (no felt soles allowed)
Appropriate field clothes (rain gear, sturdy pants, etc.)
Optional equipment:
Folding pocketknife or a knife with a sheath for plant collection
Hip waders (no felt soles allowed)
Binoculars and a bird guide (binoculars may be available to borrow from the Science Support Center at TESC).
Contact information
Sean Patrick
Wetlands Monitoring Manager
Sean.Patrick@wsdot.wa.gov
What’s stopping us?
D I S C U S S N E X T S T E P S F O R I M P L E M E N T A T I O N
