The educational barriers to the use of mechanical short-wood harvesters

摘要

Mechanical short-wood harvesters are the beginning of a new era of 'high-tech' equipment in the forestry sector. Success with this technology requires that contractors and operators have a good understanding of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and computer systems, as well as a working knowledge of up-to-date forestry practices. With $10+$ years in the woods, most contractors and operators have acquired this understanding and knowledge through years of working with more traditional types of forestry equipment. But times are changing. The high cost of maintaining this new equipment requires that today's workers be knowledgeable, highly skilled and productive from their first day on the job.;A DACUM Chart of Skills Required of a Mechanical Short-Wood Harvester Operator was developed in consultation with woods workers in Atlantic Canada. This chart could be used to develop training programs to meet the needs of these workers in all areas of their occupation and within their time frame. Training programs should cover the operation and maintenance of mechanical short-wood harvesters, as well as current forestry practices. To help insure the success of contracting operations, training programs should also be developed for contractors in areas such as human resource management and entrepreneurship.;Forestry workers must be made aware of the need to continually upgrade their skills as time goes by as their current skills will not keep them sufficiently employed over the long term.