Home BC Timber Sales continues supporting students through summer employment opp…

BC Timber Sales continues supporting students through summer employment opportunities and career development programs

BC Timber Sales (BCTS) continues to invest in the next generation of forest and public service professionals through summer employment opportunities, scholarships and workforce development programs throughout British Columbia. 

Each year, BCTS supports students and young people through seasonal employment, partnerships with workforce programs and hands-on learning opportunities that help build skills and introduce career pathways in forestry and natural resource management. 

In 2026, BCTS hired 37 summer students and invested in youth career development throughout the province through three pathways: 

• Auxiliary summer student positions 

• The Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program (IFSP) 

• The Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP)

Auxiliary summer student positions

BCTS supervisors hire students enrolled in forestry, natural resource management and other related post-secondary programs for temporary seasonal positions during the summer in offices throughout British Columbia.  

These opportunities provide practical, on-the-job experience and allow students to apply classroom learning in operational forestry settings while developing skills that support future careers in the forest sector and the BC Public Service. 

Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program

The Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program (IFSP), delivered by the BC First Nations Forestry Council (the Forestry Council) in partnership with BCTS and other forest sector organizations, supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis students pursuing full-time studies in forestry and related fields. The program provides financial assistance, paid summer work-term opportunities and one-on-one mentorship with forestry sector partners. 

The Forestry Council’s workforce program helps Indigenous Peoples discover, build and advance careers in the forest sector through education, training, recruitment, retention and workplace safety initiatives. Scholarships, mentorship opportunities and forest sector partnerships help create pathways to meaningful employment and leadership opportunities within the sector.  

Eligible fields of study include: 

• Forestry technician 

• Natural resources 

• Environmental technology 

• Business management 

• Business administration 

• Geographic information systems 

• Forestry trades 

• Construction millwright and industrial mechanic programs 

• Logging machine operator and heavy equipment operator programs 

• Heavy-duty mechanic programs 

Students participating in the program may have opportunities to complete summer work terms within one of BCTS’ 12 business areas or BCTS Provincial Operations.

Outland Youth Employment Program

The Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP) is a national network of land-based education, training and work opportunities for high school-aged Indigenous youth. The program has been creating opportunities for Indigenous youth for more than 20 years and operates in communities throughout Canada. 

OYEP provides a six-week paid work experience that combines education, training and hands-on work in a supportive environment designed to reflect real workplace settings. The program works closely with Indigenous communities and Elders to help ensure participants are culturally and spiritually supported throughout the experience.  

Participants develop practical workplace skills, earn industry-recognized certifications, gain exposure to careers in the natural resource sector and build professional networks that can support future employment opportunities.  

This year’s B.C. OYEP camp was located west of Quesnel. 

BCTS is a Platinum Sponsor of OYEP and works with program partners to create opportunities for Indigenous youth interested in the natural resource sector. In 2026, BCTS provided $50,000 in financial support and staff from the Cariboo-Chilcotin Business Area contributed training and mentorship to program participants.

Summer student placements throughout B.C.

In 2026, BCTS hired 37 summer students throughout the province. 

Business Area	Location	Auxiliary Summer Students	IFSP Students	Total
North
Omineca	Prince George/ Vanderhoof	7	2	9
Skeena	Terrace	2	2	4
South
Cariboo-Chilcotin	Williams Lake	2	1	3
Kamloops	Kamloops	4	1	5
Kootenay	Nelson	6	1	7
Okanagan-Columbia	Vernon	0	1	1
Coast
Chinook	Chilliwack	0	1	1
Seaward-tlasta	Port McNeil	0	1	1
Strait of Georgia	Campbell River	0	1	1
Provincial Operations	Victoria	2	3	5
Total		23	14	37

Investing in the future workforce

Supporting students and youth remains an important part of BCTS’ commitment to developing a skilled, diverse and sustainable workforce for British Columbia’s forest sector. 

Through summer employment, Indigenous scholarship programs and youth development initiatives, BCTS is helping young people gain valuable experience, explore career opportunities and build the skills needed to support the future of forestry and the BC Public Service.