The North Carolina Assn. of Professional Loggers’ Forestry Equipment Operator Training Program is off to good start. Six of the 12 to complete the first four-month course in July found work within weeks. Resumes and videos of the others operating machines can be accessed at www.ncloggers.com.
Meanwhile, 19 students are participating in the second class, which has been streamlined to allow students more machine seat time, according to Doug Duncan, Executive Director of the NCAPL. Also, two additional instructors, Tom Daniels and Michael Barnes—the latter is a graduate of the first class—have been hired to assist lead instructor David Meiggs and assistant Billy Corey, who between them have 83 years of logging experience and taught the first class.
Offered at Pitt Community College in Greenville, the course includes hands-on instruction and practice operating feller-bunchers, skidders and loaders. As well, it covers safety, maintenance, industry basics and work and life skills. It is a collaboration of Pitt Community College’s Continuing Education Div., the NC Agromedicine Institute and the NCAPL.
Duncan says the program is open to both in-state and out-of-state residents. He expects the program to continue as long as there is a demand for qualified forest machine operators. “We sincerely appreciate all the cooperation and support this program has received and encourage all loggers needing operators to check out the qualifications of the graduates,” he adds.