Report: Bridging the Gap Between Ontario's Youth and the Provincial Forest Sector
Better understanding labour shortages in forestry
Industries across Canada are seeing a large portion of their workforce retire without the ability to replace them, and the forestry sector is no exception. In Ontario, the forestry sector is experiencing a labour force and skill shortage that is preventing the sector from realizing its full economic potential. If left unchecked, this shortage could negatively impact the socio-economic standing of hundreds of communities across the province for years to come.
To address this issue, Forests Ontario – the province’s leading charity dedicated to the creation, preservation, and maintenance of forest and grassland habitats – and the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) collaborated on “Bridging the Gap Between Ontario’s Youth & the Provincial Forest Sector”. Known simply as Bridging the Gap, it is an Employment Ontario research project funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Thank you to the Advisory Committee for supporting Bridging the Gap.
- Algoma Workforce Investment Committee
- Columbia Forest Products
- Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE)
- Fleming College
- Hec Clouthier & Sons
- Interfore
- Lavern Heideman & Sons Ltd.
- Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA)
- Oskhi-Pimache-O-Win
- PLT Canada
- Brinkman Reforestation
- Resolute Forest Products
- Treaty 3
Priority Takeaways from the Training and Education Gap Analysis
- For those looking to start a career in the forest industry, the education and training available varies, but is accessible across most of Ontario. However, finding the relevant education paths to any individual job can be challenging.
- Training and education for certain woodlands sector jobs are largely unavailable in the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario.
- Currently, much of the training for jobs in mill operations is done on the job (vs. formal education), especially for jobs with lower qualifications.
- Several institutions offer education and training for Indigenous youth, with many focusing on GED and general employment skills.
Priority Takeaways from the Ontario Forestry Sector Report
- An aging workforce and subsequent labour shortage is a challenge in Ontario and across Canada.
- A lack of awareness of the industry and the potential jobs available is a significant barrier to attracting a workforce.
- The forest industry needs to feature early in career/job considerations among high school students while they map out their education paths.
- Among those already in the forestry industry, engagement and retention can be impacted by the cyclical and seasonal nature of the work, the sector’s unpredictability, the high cost of entry for training requirements, and compensation that is considered below market.
Priority Takeaways from the Youth’s Career Journey and Industry Perceptions Report
- Low awareness and consideration of forestry jobs.
- Values alignment is important to career choice, which is why knowledge about the industry goes a long way toward inspiring and increasing consideration among, youth who already have an interest in various aspects related to forestry, such as working outdoors and passion for sustainability.
- Existing forestry recruitment assets hitting the mark, but not the audience.