For Lisa Van Rhee, graduating from Noble Central School just got a whole lot brighter.
“It really opened a window for me,” said Lisa Van Rhee. “Maybe this is my future.”
The Grade 12 student was chosen to participate in a pilot project, giving students simulated instruction on forestry equipment. The opportunity is part of a five credit forestry course, delivered by a partnership between the Alberta Distance Learning Centre, and Woodland Operations Learning Foundatio.n
“It’s just a wonderful opportunity getting a program like this out into the hands of students that typically would not get such an opportunity,” said Fred Jack, Southern Alberta Coordinator for ADLC.
Get breaking National news
Instructors say students like Lisa had never even considered a career in forestry until getting behind the wheel of a harvest processor simulator.
Not only does the initiative give students a unique learning opportunity, but it also helps industry professionals evaluate future operators.
“This is what we need to do, is get these young people interested,” said Bevan Davidson, an instructor for WOLF. “At least let them have a look at it, let them decide ‘Hey this is exciting, this is what I want to do.'”
27 students from grades 10-12 were chosen to participate in the pilot project. Over five days, each student will get at least six hours on the simulators and for some, that six hours might just be the start of a career.
But while some students have discovered where they excel, others admit the simulators have satisfied their curiousity.
In the most unlikely of locations, a village without a lot of trees, this experience just may have shown Lisa her future.
“Maybe I’ll try it. I’m new, let’s take a shot at it,” said Lisa.
The next stop for the forestry simulator is Crowsnest Consolidated High School in Coleman. Only 5 schools across Alberta were chosen to host the pilot project.
Comments