Through training program, more students prepare to enter Maine's logging industry

Courtesy / Professional Logging Contractors of Maine Maine’s loggers are a vital part of the state’s forest products sector, which is worth an estimated $8.1 billion annually, according to the PLC.

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By Alexis Wells

Another dozen future members of Maine's logging industry are training this summer in a joint program of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine and Northern Maine Community College.

The Mechanized Logging Operations and Forest Trucking Program is a free, 20-week certificate course that prepares trainees for careers in those fields. Introductory classes and safety education began in June, and in late July the students participated in hands-on training with logging machines at an active timber harvest.

This is the eighth year for the program.

“This remains the only program of its kind in our region, and it is critical to addressing Maine’s shortage of qualified logging operators and forest truckers in an efficient and affordable way,” said Dana Doran, Professional Logging Contractors executive director.

“We could not offer this unique opportunity to students without the support of Maine’s congressional delegation, which secured congressionally directed spending support for it, or our industry partners, who ensure we have the equipment to offer a top-notch training experience."

Students in the post-secondary training program harvest timber and operate trucks using machines similar to those they will encounter in the logging industry. The program strongly emphasizes safety and teaches students about the variables of timber growth, tree species and markets.

Students pay no tuition or fees and the program provides all required personal protective equipment.

With the majority of logging operators and forest truckers at or near retirement age, the demand for new workers in the logging industry is high. The logging industry now harvests more than 95% of all timber in Maine.

Logging contributed an estimated $582 million to the state economy in 2021, according to the PLC. Logging is also a vital part of the state’s forest products sector, which is worth an estimated $8.1 billion annually.