Program Overview

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Coastal Forest Technology Diploma

Overview

This nationally accredited program is designed in collaboration with industry experts. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning. You'll graduate with the skills and knowledge to succeed in BC's forestry sector.

Program Details

• Location: Campbell River
• Length: 2 years
• Delivery: Full-time, in-person

Admission Requirements

• C in English 12 or equivalent or successful English assessment
• C+ in Foundations of Math 11 or equivalent or successful Math assessment
• High School graduation is preferred provided the applicant meets or exceeds the stated prerequisites.
• Or Completion of the Coastal Forestry Worker Certificate with a C+ in CFW 113 and a C in English 12 or equivalent or successful English assessment

Course Requirements

Year 1

• RFT - 100 Introduction to Forestry
• RFT - 101 Indigenous Lands
• RFT - 102 Forest Health and Safety
• RFT - 103 Applied Technology & Data Management
• RFT - 104 Plant Identification and Classification
• RFT - 105 Coastal Harvesting Systems
• RFT - 106 Introduction to Timber Cruising
• RFT - 107 Workplace Readiness Skills
• RFT - 108 Principles of Forest Engineering
• RFT - 110 Technical Communications
• RFT - 111 Forest Soils and Geomorphology
• RFT - 112 Introduction to GIS or GIS - 111 Fundamentals of GIS for Drone Mapping
• RFT - 113 Technical Math for Forestry
• RFT - 114 Forestry Hydrology And Riparian Management
• RFT - 115 Ecosystem Science
• RFT - 116 Forest Measurements and Sampling Techniques
• RFT - 117 Statistical Analysis for Forestry
• Note: If you do not have current, valid First Aid, Transportation Endorsement, WHMIS, Fire Suppression & Safety, Wildfire Entrapment Avoidance, and Fall Protection certification you are required to take these courses to meet program requirements. Separate fees will be charged.
• OFA - 015 Occupational First Aid Transportation Endorsement
• WSF - 019 Orientation to WHMIS Online
• WFO - 015 Wildfire Entrapment Avoidance
• FOR - 012 Basic S100 Fire Suppression & Safety
• One of the following:
  • OFA - 010 Occupational First Aid Level 1
  • FAC - 020 Emergency First Aid with CPR Level C
• One of the following:
  • WSF - 038 Fall Protection
  • WSF - 018 Fall Protection Awareness

Year 2

• RFT - 200 Forest Health and Adaption
• RFT - 201 GIS and Remote Sensing
• RFT - 202 Cultural Heritage Resource Management
• RFT - 203 Silviculture
• RFT - 204 Forest Engineering
• RFT - 205 Professional Communications and Protocols
• RFT - 206 Forest Operations Planning
• RFT - 207 Wildlife Ecology
• RFT - 208 Sustainable Forest Management
• RFT - 209 Data Management and Analysis
• RFT - 210 Wildfire Management
• RFT - 211 Silvametrics
• RFT - 213 Resource Road Design
• RFT - 214 Applied Research Project

Completion Requirements

• You will be required to pass all industry certificate courses and maintain an overall average of C or higher with no more than two C minus (C-) grades in required program courses to achieve program completion.
• The Coastal Forest Technology Diploma must be completed within 3 years of admission to the program.
• A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed at North Island College.

Supplies

You're responsible for obtaining the following supplies and field tools.

Field Equipment

• Caulk boots
• Hiking boots
• High-visibility rain gear
• High visibility vest
• Hard hat with visor and ear protectors
• Safety glasses
• Compass
• Field book (waterproof)
• Rite-in-rain note paper
• Three-inch binder and note paper
• Flash drive
• Pens, pencils, highlighters, eraser, iPad and environmental case

iPad and environmental case tech specs

• iPad mini or iPad Air (mini is often preferred for field work) with capacity of 64GB or higher
• Must be Wi-fi and cellular and GPS enabled (must be able to take a SIM card, but you do not need a data plan)
• Android tablet alternatives are available but please confirm with the program lead

Careers

Employment options with the successful completion of the diploma program include work as a timber cruiser, forest engineer, wildfire specialist, operations technologist, riparian assessor, forest health surveyor, silvicultural technician, GIS analyst, timber appraiser specialist or as a forest protection officer.

Costs

Check the table below for estimated costs for the full program.

Domestic

• Tuition: $13,885
• Lab: $870
• Student Union: $725
• Learner Resource: $620
• Health and Dental: $570
• Total: $16,670

International

• Tuition: $26,495
• Lab: $870
• Student Union: $725
• Learner Resource: $620
• Health and Dental: $570
• Student Services Fee: $3,245
• Total: $32,525

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the unique skills I will learn in this program?

By the end of this diploma program, students will be able to identify and demonstrate forest technologists’ skills. The program covers forest measurements, silviculture, operations and protection. Students will also learn to integrate Indigenous knowledge in planning and management, as well as describe and assess forest ecosystems, conduct inventory surveys, mitigate forest health impacts and apply wildfire prevention.

How does this training differ from the Coastal Forest Worker Certificate program?

The Coastal Forest Worker Certificate program is a foundational program that meets the admissions requirements for this Coastal Forest Technology Diploma program.

What are the career pathways this program creates?

Graduates will have the opportunity to apply through the ABCFP to become a Trainee Forest Technologist (TFT) on the pathway to becoming a Registered Forest Technologist (RFT) upon completion.