The crisis in post-secondary enrollments in forestry programs: A call to action for Canada's future forestry professional/technical workforce

Abstract

Enrollment in post-secondary forestry programs at technical/technologist and university levels has been in dramatic decline for several years. As the turndown in forestry enrollments has developed, both reactive and proactive recruitment efforts have been undertaken, usually in isolation, by the post-secondary institutions and governments, industry and forestry-related groups. The white paper provides information on what the trend means to forestry programs, and why government and industry should be concerned. A nationally coordinated "marketing campaign" and the eventual formation of a Sector Council for forestry is recommended. Key words: post-secondary forestry programs, declining enrollment, national marketing program, Sector council