Canada’s forestry and wood products sector is facing a growing workforce challenge as skilled trades shortages intensify across sawmills, pulp and paper mills, wood manufacturing facilities, and harvesting operations.

While trade disputes and tariff pressures continue to affect the industry, many employers now view labour availability as an equally significant threat to long-term competitiveness.

Skilled Trades Pipeline Under Pressure

The sector relies heavily on qualified tradespeople, including:

• Millwrights
• Electricians
• Welders
• Heavy equipment technicians
• Industrial maintenance specialists

However, forestry companies must compete for talent with construction, mining, energy, and manufacturing industries, all of which are experiencing similar workforce shortages.

Industry concerns are growing as large numbers of experienced workers approach retirement while apprenticeship completion rates remain low.

Apprenticeship Completion Rates Raise Concerns

Data from Ontario highlights the scale of the challenge.

Less than half of apprentices in key industrial trades successfully complete their apprenticeship programs, while only around 20% achieve certification within the expected training timeframe.

The issue extends beyond recruitment and education.

Many apprentices who complete workplace and classroom requirements still struggle to obtain certification. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Ontario’s Certificate of Qualification examination pass rate stood at only 44.5%.

Industry observers argue that these figures indicate significant talent leakage throughout the apprenticeship system.

European Models Offer Lessons

Countries such as:

• Germany
• Austria
• Switzerland

maintain some of the world’s most successful apprenticeship programs.

Final certification pass rates in these countries typically range between 79% and 95%, while apprenticeship dropout rates remain substantially lower than those seen in Canada.

Although experts acknowledge these systems cannot be replicated directly, several practices are viewed as transferable, including stronger employer support, improved career guidance, expanded training access, and more efficient certification processes.

Calls for System Reform

Industry leaders are urging governments to address several barriers:

• Limited examination capacity
• Long certification waiting times
• Insufficient financial support during classroom training
• Delayed access to in-school apprenticeship programs
• Lack of skilled trades awareness among younger students

Recent federal initiatives, including proposed income support during apprenticeship training and certification incentives, have been welcomed by employers, although many believe additional measures will be required.

Forestry Sector Needs Long-Term Workforce Strategy

As Canada’s forestry industry continues modernizing through automation, advanced manufacturing, bioeconomy investments, and sustainable resource management, demand for highly skilled technical workers is expected to increase.

Industry stakeholders argue that improving apprenticeship completion rates, accelerating certification pathways, and promoting skilled trades careers earlier in education will be critical to maintaining the sector’s workforce and supporting future growth.

Without significant improvements in labour development, skilled worker shortages could become one of the most significant constraints on Canada’s forestry and forest products industry over the coming decade.

Source: RESCON (Residential Construction Council of Ontario)

Last Updated on 23/06/2026 by Jota Machinery