FOROP TRAINING PROGAM

Safety Productivity Efficiency Profit

Welcome

Visitors!

HISTORY

• 5 years running

• 3 years under Carolina Loggers Assoc.

• 2 years as non-profit – FOROP School

• Associated with NC Community Colleges for

1 year then moved full time to the woods

• Started in eastern NC and now in central VA

• 3 full time staff/instructors who live near sites

in RV’s

GENERAL FEATURES

• Production logging environment

• In-woods classroom

• Sustained financially by wood deliveries

• 8 week basic instruction

• Specialized training

• Existing operators

• Community colleges and universities

• New model logging equipment

• Conventional rubber-tired skidder and fellerbuncher,

knuckleboom loader with delimber and buck saw

USING TECHNOLOGY

• In-woods handheld radios

• Classroom internet access and projection

system

• IPad with mirroring through projector

• Wireless hard drive with 360 GB of

curriculum

• GoPro cameras

• HD video camera

• Wireless PA and voice activated mike

DEALER SUPPORT

• Currently through CAT Forest Products

Dealers, 5 year history

• New equipment rotated out prior to 500

machine hours

• Maintenance and light repairs by FOROP

• Dealers use FOROP for on-site customer

demos

• Dealer customer service rep. workshop

provided to Carter Machinery staff

9

VA PARTNERS

• Startup support with WestRock

• Governor of VA – Training for Talents

• The Bridge Ministry

• VA Department of Forestry

• Member of VA Forest Products Association

• Member of VA Loggers Association

• Member of VA Forestry Association

• Support vendors: trucking, fuel, services

WHAT WE LEARNED

•It’s all about the career

•The right stuff is key

•Active recruitment and selection

•First day starts in the woods

•Keeping lifeline between

graduates and employers to improve

•Must keep partners engaged who

bring resources and credibility

•Our training schedule is not a logger’s

hiring schedule

WHERE WE HAVE FLEXIBILITY

•Length of training

•Operating region

•Balancing classroom vs operation

•Placing competent persons early

•Developing new teaching techniques

•Adding positive minded partners

•Innovative recruiting

EVOLUTION

• Recent option to involve other equipment

manufacturers after long-term CAT support

• Adding 2nd KBL to met operator demand

• Adding in-woods truck driver training for

existing CDL holders as insurable drivers

• Geographic positioning to met highest job

demands as well as marketable wood flow.

FILL IN YOUR NAME AND PAINT YOUR COLOR!

IT’S A PEOPLE BUSINESS

www.forop.org

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