MILLINOCKET, Maine — Maine’s first Mechanized Logging Operations program hosted a completion ceremony on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. Supporters of the program, families of the six trainees, industry leaders and legislators gathered at the program’s woodlot near Millinocket for the celebration.
The program was several years in the making and resulted from collaboration between Northern Maine Community College, Eastern Maine Community College, Washington County Community College and the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine.
The students who completed the rigorous program were Cody Dennison of Leeds, Ben Tuttle of Limerick, William Mazariego of South Paris, Patrick Eastman of Lincoln, Samuel Shook of Old Town, and Jason Durant of Brownville.
“We all gained a whole new appreciation of what actually goes in to this work every day,” said Durant. “This program is important, and the six of us can really help encourage the efforts for it to continue.”
All students each earned an average of 22 CAT training hours resulting in certificates, 293 in-seat equipment hours, and 70.5 classroom hours, which included simulator and CAT University trainings. All of the students have either secured a job or received offers.
“Our aging workforce and outmigration will require education, industry and government to work closer than ever if we are going to respond to the workforce needs of the state of Maine,” said NMCC President Timothy Crowley.
“This project is a very good example of how collaboration and cooperation can address this concern. We are providing an opportunity for six individuals to lead a more productive life and we have taken an important step toward rebuilding an efficient and robust logging industry,” Crowley said.
“I want to commend the Maine Community College System for their commitment to this program,” said Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau. “This is the first day of many that will lead to a successful and brighter future for the state of Maine. Your success is critical to the success of this state.”
“We could not be prouder today to see these newly trained forest technicians enter our industry,” Scott Madden, owner of Madden Timberlands and President of the PLC, said. “With 12 weeks of hands-on training under your belt, each one of you has a great opportunity to enter this industry at just the right time. There are great things on the horizon for this industry and with the training you have received here, you will always have a job.”
Beginning June 19, the students harvested timber using sophisticated state-of-the-art machines like those they will encounter in the logging industry. According to the PLC, the training gave students a broad overview of the most common mechanical systems found in modern timber harvesting equipment, and an understanding of the variables of timber growth, tree species, and markets. It also included a strong emphasis on safety.
The Mechanized Logging Operations program was developed in response to an aging workforce and a need for skilled workers. Historically, employers spend approximately $100,000 to train their mechanized operators. Support from Maine Quality Centers and private industry support such as Milton CAT and Nortrax Inc. allowed this training to be offered at no cost to the students or the employers.
In addition, Katahdin Forest Management donated the timber stand for the students to harvest. The money earned from the harvest will go back to the program to help offset costs and aid in sustainability for future cohorts.
“Logging is at a crossroads and these graduates are perfectly positioned to begin rewarding careers in an industry that — despite the headlines — is going to be around for a very long time,” PLC Executive Director Dana Doran said via a press release. “When employers drive hundreds of miles to interview students who have not even graduated yet for jobs, it is clear there is great demand for them, and that is exactly what we have seen happen here. Every one of these graduates already has a job waiting for them in the industry.”
To learn more about the program, visit nmcc.edu.