Shasta College is working with Lepage Company (Red Bluff, CA) to place FIRST SEAT (Forest Industry Real-World Skills Training Sustaining Employment & Applying Technology) interns with the company later this summer into early fall. Interns will be training on fire watch/patrol and mastication operations to sustain forest health and fire resiliency through critical fuel management work in our community’s most at-risk areas. Shasta College’s FIRST SEAT internship program offers students enrolled in Shasta College’s Heavy Equipment Logging Operations (HELO) program the opportunity to pursue lucrative and rewarding careers in the regions forestry management and logging industry.

The FIRST SEAT internship program is made possible by generous support from several important industry partners in the forestry sector, such as the Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference (SCLC), which donated $10,499 through the Sierra-Cascade Environmental and Resource Fund (SCERF). SCLC president, Delbert Gannon, explains, “Our theme this year is educating the next generation, and this [donation] is how we do it.”

Associated California Loggers (ACL) provided $10,000 to FIRST SEAT as well. Eric Carleson, Executive Director, notes, “Training the next generation of logging workers and log truckers is among the highest priorities of our industry – these are good jobs upon which one can build a life, a family and a career in the outdoors. Opportunities abound as the current generation retires. FIRST SEAT provides on-the-job training with experienced companies and can place workers in jobs right away. Associated California Loggers is proud to be part of the effort to support and fund this important vocational education program.”

Loggers Association of Northern California (LANC) has also offered its support of FIRST SEAT with a $10,000 commitment. Executive Director Mark Lathrop comments, “LANC is pleased to be part of this proactive approach to recruiting the next generation of forest workers. Shasta College is doing a wonderful job of attracting students who love heavy equipment and the outdoors. We see our participation as helping financially but, more importantly, by providing members of our logging organization to be the on-the-job mentors. Win-win for all!”

FIRST SEAT is further supported with a $200 donation from California Women in Timber (CWIT.)

As our 2020 industry partner champion, Lepage Company demonstrates its commitment to growing a skilled workforce in the forest sector by providing these internships to Shasta College students. FIRST SEAT funds will offset equipment and training costs incurred by Lepage as they train this next generation of valuable forestry professionals. FIRST SEAT receives funding from industry partners and coordinated through Shasta College.

For additional information about the FIRST SEAT program, call Shasta College’s EWD division at (530) 242-7638.