5 FOCUS - SPRING 2025 Forest Machine Management OSU undergraduate certificate. Equips managers with the skills to oversee mechanized forest harvesting operations. Available to OSU students and working professionals with courses integrated into the Forest Engineering and Forest Operations programs. Mechanized Forestry Technician Certificate offered at Umpqua Community College. Trains forestry technicians to implement mechanized harvesting systems. Aligns with UCC Associate of Science Degree in Forestry. Forest Machine Operator OSU Professional and Continuing Education certificate. Provides upskill training for those already in the industry. An earn-and-learn program supported by sponsoring companies. Introduction to Mechanized Forest Harvesting OSU PACE certificate. Introduces high school students to mechanized harvesting techniques. The College of Forestry received an Oregon Workforce Ready Grant to grow the forest industry workforce through the development of four specialized training certificates: rural communities, people of color, women and high school students who are not immediately planning to attend post-secondary education. Bringing workforce development directly to these communities helps increase the diversity of forestry’s future workforce. To overcome language barriers, the certificates will be offered in multiple languages, including Spanish. Simulator-based education offers safe, hands-on training without exposing inexperienced workers to the risks of real-world logging. Logging has one of the highest rates of fatal injuries of any civilian job in the U.S., but research by the Pacific Northwest Agriculture Safety and Health Center (2024) shows that increased mechanization is helping to reduce accidents and fatalities. “By leveraging partnerships and simulatorbased training, we are ensuring our students receive both hands-on training and earn formal certifications that improve their career prospects,” said Lyons. “With this grant, OSU and its partners are poised to strengthen Oregon’s forest industry workforce, enhancing both safety and efficiency in forest management.” Lace-Anna Rowe (Forest Engineering, ‘24) gained valuable technical skills in the mechanized harvesting lab while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Rowe now works as a program coordinator at Umpqua Community College. 1 2 3 4
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