The Institute for Workplace Skills & Innovation America is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service to develop and launch a national apprenticeship program for forestry technicians, according to a Dec. 10 announcement.
The apprenticeship program is part of the Forest Service’s strategy to meet current and future staffing needs and ensure the long-term sustainability of forest management across the U.S., as well as offer career opportunities to underrepresented and marginalized groups.
“Forestry technicians are in high demand, and they play a crucial role within our agency,” Amy Firestone, leader of national workforce development and apprenticeship leader at the Forest Service, said in the announcement.
About 3,000 people fill forestry technician positions across the country, but the position has a turnover rate of about 10% annually. The apprenticeship program will help provide skilled talent for these critical roles, said IWSI America, which specializes in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs for government organizations, nonprofits and corporations.
As part of the Forest Service apprenticeship, participants will prepare for careers in environmental stewardship, public land management and conservation. Pilot programs will launch in multiple states by late 2025, with the goal of employing the first paid apprentices by 2026.
The new program builds on the Forest Service’s experience with apprenticeship programs, including its wildland firefighter apprenticeship, which has operated since 1989. The program hires 300 new apprentices each year and has effectively reduced turnover through mentorship and support systems, according to the release.
“We’ve seen firsthand the impact that apprenticeships can have on employee stability and job satisfaction,” Firestone said. “By providing career pathways for advancement and ongoing support, apprenticeships have become a cornerstone of workforce development within the Forest Service.”
Employers and community colleges should team up to strengthen apprenticeship programs and help workers learn in-demand skills, according to an Apprenticeships for America report. Although more than 500 community and technical colleges are registered as apprenticeship sponsors, less than half had active apprentices in 2023, the report found. By working together, employers and educators can bust old assumptions about apprenticeships and expand programs across technology, healthcare, finance and other sectors, the organization said.