Select your state from above for more information about attending or sponsoring logger training opportunities.

Certifying & Supporting Trainers
The HVIP certifies, equips, and supports hardwood resource professionals to conduct HVIP Bucking Workshops. We are currently encouraging all parties whom can make use of the HVIP training resources to become certified. Our nation-wide network of trainers come from a variety of positions, such as, foresters, mill owners, forest industry staff, professional educators, public agency personnel, landowners, and loggers. To become more familiar with HVIP please take a couple of minutes to review the links below. I also encourage you to view the HVIP Informational Video below.

KEY INFORMATION FOR TRAINERS:
HVIP Informational Video
Program Overview
Local Trainers Needed
Instructional Resources Available to HVIP Certified Local Trainers
Contact Information
HW Buck Simulator Video
Download a Training Version of the HW Buck Simulator (.zip - 4.6mb)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The USDA Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC), The Ohio Forestry Association, Inc., Michigan Technological University, and other partners recognize a need for providing assistance to the forest products industry regarding improving the value of hardwood logs. The Hardwood Value Improvement Project (HVIP) was developed to address this need through the transfer of information and training to loggers in the 28 states of the eastern hardwood region. The project utilizes a mixture of indoor and field activities in concert with a computerized decision tool. The general approach to achieve project goals is a train-the-trainers process which involves the training the Local Trainers that will then train loggers.

GOAL
The goal of the Hardwood Value Improvement Project is to increase the value and quality of hardwood logs in the eastern hardwood region through improving log bucking skills of loggers.

OBJECTIVES
The general approach to achieve project goals is a train-the-trainers process which involves transferring training tools and materials, training session format and strategies, and regional customization of the training to fit the needs of Local Trainers. The specific approach employed to train the Local Trainers relies on Regional Coordinators, who would train the Local Trainers.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Develop a network of certified HVIP trainer throughout the eastern hardwood region
• Train hardwood log buckers using a computerized decision tool, with a mixture of indoor and field activities that will improve hardwood log bucking values
• Engage stakeholders to ensure that products and services generated as a result of this program reflect user needs
• Create conditions that will encourage the application of technologies and practices developed beyond the life of the project.

TRAINING
The training sessions are 1-2 day events, which integrate field, classroom and computer simulation techniques to teach loggers skills to make better bucking decisions. This combination of hands on activities and classroom teaching has proven to be effective at engaging loggers and delivering the program information.

A pre-packaged training program has been developed that includes a bucking simulator, which enables buckers to make bucking decisions on screen and then compared their decision to an optimal bucking decision generated by the computer. In addition to the computer simulation there is printed info on log defects, grading and scaling, etc. This training package was developed by Dr. Jim Pickens at Michigan Tech. with funding from WERC.

back to top

LOCAL TRAINERS NEEDED
Local trainer candidates attend one of HVIP's free two-day training sessions. Local trainers receive on-going assistance in their training efforts from their regional coordinator. A dedicated web page provides local trainers access to all of the updates to the training materials. Local trainer sessions are eligible for continuing education credits.

WHO
Logger training professionals, , consultants and employees of sawmills, TIMOs, and consulting forestry firms who do in-house training, extension foresters and instructors from college and technical schools are all good candidates to become certified local trainers. The qualifications for local trainers (listed below) can be difficult to find in one person, so many people have joined together into two person teams to combine their skills. These teams often take the form of one person who is comfortable with hardwood logs and markets with another who is comfortable with facilitating workshops and working with computers.

Recommended qualifications for trainers (or trainer pairs):

• Good knowledge of and experience with hardwood logs
• Computer skills
• Good people/educational skills
• Recognized as a good instructor
• Resources, affiliations or opportunities to offer training classes
• Willingness to monitor and report results of training from feedback by individuals or companies completing the training at the local level

back to top

CONTACT INFORMATION
Scott Noble
HVIP Midwest Regional Coordinator
PO Box 341
Chassell, MI 49916

(906) 481 1097

scott@nobleforestry.com

back to top