Photo: Northeast Woodlands Training Inc. instructor Allan Sands confers with student Seth Martin during the felling of a tree.
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RVTC students take part in 'Game of Logging' chainsaw safety program 11 min ago 0 Game of Logging Northeast Woodlands Training Inc. instructor Allan Sands confers with student Seth Martin during the felling of a tree. COURTESY Save SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — At the Army Core of Engineers' land in Springfield, Vermont, River Valley Technical Center students in the Horticulture and Natural Resources program, with their program instructor John Harmer, have been participating in Game of Logging Training through Northeast Woodland Training Inc. Seth Martin, Adin Bortlein, Jake Matulonis, Zach Connor, and Nick Davis are in the Level Three training, which is about felling difficult trees. Activities include identifying hazards associated with the felling of the tree, planned for how to cut it safely and efficiently, and conferring with classmates and the Game of Logging instructor Allan Sands. Participants are scored on their felling plan, hazards, side lean, escape destination, hinge dimensions, and back cut techniques, all according to a press release. They are also scored on components of their stump after felling the tree. The Game of Logging is a nationally recognized chainsaw safety training program that has four consecutive levels. Students in RVTC’s Horticulture and Natural Resources program have already completed the first two levels that focus on Precision Felling Techniques and Maximizing Chainsaw Performance. The students with the top three scores will have the opportunity to compete in the Regional Game of Logging Competition. Students look forward to the competition and to the training. “Having more than one instructor gives different perspectives," said student Seth Martin. “Having multiple instructors gives you a couple of techniques to use,” added Jake Matulonis. Sands and Harmer work together to give feedback and correct and reassure students during the training. “This is real world, hands-on learning for students; there is just no way to simulate this in the classroom,” said Harmer. Students apply physics concepts, estimation skills, and basic geometry concepts when making their plan and felling the tree. Students are given the opportunity to struggle and make their own corrections. One tree was leaning backward and to the left making it a particularly challenging tree; the student made a miscalculation with his first cuts. Allan and Harmer saw the mistake, but allowed the student to struggle through it and make the corrections himself. “That is a much richer learning experience for the student. He isn’t going to forget this next time,” said Harmer. To learn more about the Horticulture and Natural Resources program at the River Valley Technical Center in Springfield, go to RVTC.org or call at (802) 885-8300. To learn more about the Game of Logging and Northeast Woodlands Training Inc.. go to woodlandtraining.com.
In a shrinking world experiencing exponential technology growth, what options are available at 40 years old when working in the woods in no longer a physical reality and you have no academic skills to fall back on? I can well assure you, their counterparts in China, Europe, India, Japan, and Korea are not squandering their limited chance for an education.
ReplyDeleteCompanies all over America are experiencing MAJOR shortages of skilled labor. We, as a nation, have become so enamored with technology that we are running out of people who know how to use tools! Kudos to those who learn which end of a screwdriver to use; you're head and shoulders above most these days!
DeleteLogging is NOT skilled labor. It is honest, hard, back-breaking, very dangerous work. Logging offers an opportunity to be your own boss and enjoy an office view many of us would envy. But it's not a trade to carry you through to retirement, and pension benefits are slim. Such work is best suited for youth that choose not to complete school. These students are being short changed a secure future.
Delete12:16 I had tree work done this summer. These guys were skilled labor. You have to be intelligent to do this kind of work. What is a secure future? I myself have a college degree and it is worthless in Springfield, but if I could do this I would never be out of work. If you look around Springfield alone, that would keep a company busy for years.
DeleteWow... it takes all kinds to make this world go around, never done it but the logging industry is a vital industry, how else to we built the houses we live in?
ReplyDeleteC'Mon Man! Good job Seth Martian and crew.
Not to mention the burls they might find. Just had 2 black walnut trees taken down. Tree service was happy loading the short "logs" onto the truck. Look on the net, one short piece sells for $100 to make a bowl.
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