The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) has announced the recipients of COFI’s 2018 Forestry Scholarships, one of whom is Jaydegh Billingsley of Quesnel. The announcement comes in celebration of the future of forestry during National Forest Week, which took place across the country from September 23-29.
“National Forest Week is an opportunity to recognize the one in 17 British Columbian workers whose jobs are supported by this valuable and renewable resource in all regions of the province,” said Susan Yurkovich, COFI president and CEO.
“This is an industry with a strong history and bright future. Forestry generates 140,000 total jobs in B.C. while leading the world in sustainable forestry practices. We are proud to support the next generation in continuing their education in forestry and advancing further research and innovation.”
The B.C. forest sector will be hiring more than 25,000 people in the coming 10 in communities around the province. In order to support training and recruitment to the forest sector, COFI awards 10 scholarships to students who are enrolled at specific post-secondary institutions with the goal of pursuing a professional, technical or trades career in the forest sector.
COFI recently held a simulator demonstration at Correlieu Secondary School, to showcase the types of careers possible to students, and give them a chance to test out how it might feel to drive industrial vehicles.
COFI education manager Jim Costley said the council was also partnering with West Fraser Mills in Quesnel to take students out to a forestry site to see first-hand what a career in the industry entails.
WATCH: Correlieu students simulate driving heavy machinery
“The forest industry needs bright, young minds and our industry offers diverse career opportunities in manufacturing, environmental management, technology, trades and professional services,” added Yurkovich.
The full list of recipients of the 2018 Forestry Scholarship includes:
Garet Anderson, Prince George
Alex Von Geyer, Prince George
Brooklynn Pearson, Vanderhoof
Daniel Burgel, Nelson
Sonja Hadden, 100 Mile House
Jaydegh Billingsley, Quesnel
Katie Hall, Prince George
Emma Peasgood, Chetwynd
Brianne Ghuman, Smithers
Sheldon VanSickle, Barriere