There are numerous excellent educational facilities across Canada for forestry studies. In British Columbia, such choices include the University of British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia, Simon Fraser University,Malaspina University-College, Northwest Community College, Selkirk College and University College of the Cariboo.

Continuing studies in forestry related subjects are offered on an on-going basis through the Forestry Continuing Studies Network. Advanced studies in Forest Engineering and Silviculture are available through modules offered by the Forest Management Institute of British Columbia (FMIBC). FMIBC's programs are targeted at professional engineers, geoscientists and foresters who want to increase their knowledge, contacts and work performance.

Other Useful Sources Include:
The Forest Management Institute of British Columbia
Forestry Diploma Program, Malaspina-University College, Nanaimo, BC
Earth Sciences/Geography Programs, Simon Fraser University

Professional Development of GIT's and EIT's in the Forest Sector

The Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act requires the involvement of registered professional geoscientists and engineers in many aspects of forestry operations. In response, forest sector employees are recruiting engineers- and geoscientists-in-training as a means of ensuring their long term needs for this expertise will be met.

To be eligible for registration at the end of the training period, APEGBC requires that EIT's and GIT's show progressive professional development during their training period; and that they receive supervision and training by a registered professional engineer or geoscientist in the EIT/GIT's discipline.

However, in some cases EIT's and GIT's employed in the forest sector are supervised by professional foresters or non-professionals, without direct access to a professional geoscientist/engineer in the same organization.

The responsibility for gaining adequate training and experience ultimately rests with the individual member in training. However, when an employer is hiring members in training with the expectation that down the road the employer will have trained staff with professional registration, it is also in the employer's best interest to provide an environment in which satisfactory professional development can occur.

In this situation, the member in training and his or her supervisor should set out a training plan that will provide the EIT/GIT with the necessary experience and supervision. The following are some examples of the types of arrangements a training plan could make use of:

If the employer regularly contracts consultants who are professional engineers/geoscientists in the EIT/GIT's discipline, arrangements could be made to have the consultant supervise specific assignments and review reports done by the EIT/GIT, preferably on a regular schedule.

Specific assignments could be set up for the EIT/GIT to work with a professional engineer/geoscientist elsewhere in the employer's organization if available.

Arrangements could be made for the EIT/GIT to work "on loan" or on secondment to another organization that employs professional engineers or geoscientists.

The supervisor should periodically review the training plan with the member in training to check that the EIT/GIT progress has not stalled due to lack of appropriate arrangements.

Finally it is the EIT/GIT's responsibility to keep his or her log book up to date with records of assignments, and to have each assignment initialed by the supervising professional.

The APEGBC guidebook notes that a midterm interview following about 2 years of experience is an option to review the progress being made by the EIT?GIT. For the employment situations described above, it is strongly recommended that the EIT/GIT arrange with APEGBC for a midterm interview to review progress being made to date.

EIT/GIT's or their supervisors can contact Elvis Riou at APEGBC (604-430-8035) for advice on training programs or to arrange a midterm interview.