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Logging Machinery Operators (8241)

Occupation targeted under the Workplace Apprenticeship Program

Please note that detailed information for each of the occupations under the Workplace Apprenticeship Program is only available in French.

Job titles

Nature of work

Logging machinery operators operate cable yarding systems, mechanical harvesters and forwarders and mechanical tree processors and loaders to fell, yard and process trees at logging sites. They are employed by logging companies and contractors.

Fields of interest

  • Developing and working with natural resources
  • Working in transportation and maintenance
  • Working outdoors or with the environment

Main duties

  • The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group:
  • - Cable yarding system operators operate machines to transport trees from logging areas to landing or log loading sites in mountainous terrain in western Canada.
  • - Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators assess site and terrain and drive heavy equipment to perform a combination of felling, slashing, bucking, bunching and forwarding operations at logging areas.
  • - Mechanical tree processor and loader operators operate a variety of machines which perform a combination of slashing, bucking, chipping, sorting and loading logs or trees at landing sites.

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Employment requirements

  • * Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • * On-the-job training from three to 16 months is provided, depending on the complexity of machinery operated and the type of woodlands operation.
  • * Experience requirements vary depending on the complexity of machinery operated.
  • * Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators may require logging experience as a chain saw and skidder operator.
  • * Feller buncher operators and cable yarder operators usually require three to five years of logging experience.
  • * Mechanical tree processor and loader operators usually require one to three years of logging experience.
  • * Certification as a heavy equipment operator may be required.
  • * Company certification for mobile logging machinery operation may be required.
  • * Provincial air brake certification may be required in British Columbia, depending on the type of equipment operated.
  • * Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and St. John's first aid certification may be required.
  • * Knowledge of tree harvesting regulations is required.

Skill type

  • Occupations unique to primary industry

Skill level

  • Technical

More information

  • * There is some mobility among jobs in this group from the less complex to more complex machinery operation.
  • * There is some mobility between employers, particularly in similar types of woodland operations.
  • * Self-employment as a logging contractor is possible with investment in equipment.
  • * Logging machinery operators may perform minor repairs and maintenance on their equipment.
  • * Progression to logging and forestry supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Job titles - Classified elsewhere

Professional associations

  • Comité sectoriel de main-d'œuvre en aménagement forestier
  • 965 avenue Newton, bureau 254
  • Québec, QC
  • G1P4M4
  • Toll free: 1-877-864-7126
  • Phone: 418-864-7126
  • Fax: 418-864-7136
  • Email: dg@csmoaf.com