Labour shortages are impacting a wide range of industries in Canada, including arboriculture.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 what persuaded Dave Saunders, whoB次元官网网址檚 worked as an arborist for more tha 30 years, to develop a pilot program for training local students as urban arborists.

He says training the next generation of tree trimmers allows him to give back, while solving a big problem Island businesses and municipalities face.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 why I tried to develop this program, because I canB次元官网网址檛 find employees that want to work in my field,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淐limate change, weB次元官网网址檙e seeing more trees die, weB次元官网网址檙e seeing more properties that need to be fire smarted. We need that workforce now but that workforce is not getting into the business, so somehow that trade is being missed.B次元官网网址�

Saunders says a training program in becoming an urban arborist is the first of its kind, and the first training program on the Island B次元官网网址� before this, people who wanted to get into the field had to study on the mainland.

ALSO READ: Province trying to keep worker shortage from limiting B.C.B次元官网网址檚 economic recovery, premier says

Currently, Saunders is working with 18 students from Camosun College and schools in the Sooke school district. The five-day pilot program is meant to demonstrate the need for the project. Saunders says he is working on developing a full training program with Camosun.

During the pilot project, students have been working on learning safety, using equipment and conservation techniques in arborists work. Saunders says students have been excited about learning the trade.

Saunders says heB次元官网网址檒l be running a similar pilot project with Greater Victoria school students this spring.

The students benefit and the schools are set to benefit as well, with students working on removing trees on school or municipality grounds, with the recycled wood then given back to the schools for their use.

B次元官网网址淚 hope that these kids can take part in all that process, right from being helpers to take the tree down, being helpers at the mill site, learning through that process and then replanting a tree and fully recycling everything,B次元官网网址� he said.

Saunders adding that having a training program and more professional arborists could B次元官网网址渉elp alleviate the whole situationB次元官网网址� at Fairy Creek.

B次元官网网址淚n my my firsthand experience in logging and tree work in a municipal and a forested area, itB次元官网网址檚 usually nowadays, quite adversarial,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淓verybody that was (part of the pilot project) were from all walks of life, whether they were environmentalists or, or they wanted to cut a tree, now they fully understand that this can be sustainable, and itB次元官网网址檚 not us versus them.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: Logging company seeks extension to Fairy Creek injunction on south Island