Atmospheric Science

Biology

Chemistry

Earth and Ocean Science

Environment and Conservation

Forestry Sciences

Physics and Astronomy

Agriculture

Physical & Natural Sciences 

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice professional forestry in B.C., you must be registered with Forest Professionals B.C. (FPBC). Eligibility is most commonly achieved by completing a degree from a nationally accredited program.

Employment as a registered professional forester may additionally require relevant work experience.

Forestry professionals

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a public or environmental health and safety professional in B.C., you may need to become Certified by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals. Eligibility is achieved through successful completion of a recognized program, certifying examinations, and sufficient work experience.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a public health inspector in B.C., you need to become Certified by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. Eligibility is achieved through successful completion of a recognized program, a practicum, and certifying examinations.

Public and environmental health and safety professionals

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice professional forestry in B.C., you must be registered with Forest Professionals B.C. (FPBC). Eligibility is most commonly achieved by completing a diploma from a nationally accredited program.

Forestry technologists and technicians

To work as Supervisors, logging and forestry in B.C., you may need to have basic first aid and CPR certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing a relevant course.

To work as Supervisors, logging and forestry in B.C., you may need the correct pesticide certification for the type of work you will be performing. Eligibility is achieved by passing the requisite exam through Service B.C.

Supervisors, logging and forestry

To work as a Silviculture and forestry workers in B.C., you need the appropriate chemicals application licence. Click the link below for more information.

To work as Silviculture and forestry workers in B.C., you may need to complete a course in Silvicultural worker's licence.                                              Click the link below for more information.

To work as Silviculture and forestry workers in B.C., you may need the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.

To work as Silviculture and forestry workers in B.C., you may need the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.

Silviculture and forestry workers

To work as a logging or forestry labourer in B.C., you may need the correct pesticide certification for the type of work you will be performing. Eligibility is achieved by passing the requisite exam through Service B.C.

To work as a logging or forestry labourer in B.C., you may need to complete the Resource Inventory Standards Course (RISC) in archaeology. 

To work as a Chain saw and skidder operators in B.C., you must be registered with the Faller Training and Certification issued by BC Forest Safety - Chain saw and skidder operators. Eligibility is achieved by successful completion of a faller training program, work experience under the supervision of a qualified faller, and a letter of recommendation from your supervisor that you are ready for certification.

To work as a logging or forestry labourer in B.C., you may need the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.

Logging and forestry labourers

Supervisors, forest products processing

To work as Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators in B.C., you may need to be registered with the Basic first aid and CPR. 

To work as Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators in B.C., you may need to complete a course in Gas Utility Certification.    Click the link below for more information.

Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators

This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. These programs include courses in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modelling.

Environmental science

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. These programs include courses in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.

Environmental/natural resources management and policy, general

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply the principles of marine/aquatic biology, oceanography, natural resource economics, and natural resources management to the development, conservation, and management of freshwater and saltwater environments. These programs include courses in subjects such as wetlands, riverine, lacustrian, coastal, and oceanic water resources; water conservation and use; flood control; pollution control; water supply logistics; wastewater management; aquatic and marine ecology; aquatic and marine life conservation; and the economic and recreational uses of water resources.

Water, wetlands and marine resources management

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply principles of forestry and natural resources management to the administration of forest lands and related resources. These programs include courses in silviculture, forest mensuration, forest protection, inventorying, biometrics, geographic information systems, remote sensing, photogrammetry, forest policy and economics, forest land use planning, fire protection and management, and related administrative skills.

Forest management/forest resources management

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of mineral extraction, processing and refining systems, including open pit and shaft mines, prospecting and site analysis equipment and instruments, environmental and safety systems, mine equipment and facilities, mineral processing and refining methods and systems, and logistics and communications systems.

Mining and mineral engineering

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using water storage, waterpower, and wastewater treatment systems. These programs include courses in water storage, power and/or treatment systems and equipment; testing and inspection procedures; system maintenance procedures; and report preparation.

Water quality and wastewater treatment management and recycling technology/technician

This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the application of mathematics to atmospheric and oceanic problems. These programs include courses in chemistry, physics, atmospheric/ocean dynamics, climatology, weather simulation, climate modelling, mathematics, oceanography, and atmospheric science.

Mathematics and atmospheric/oceanic science

Natural Resources Micro-credentials

Forestry professionals conduct research, develop plans and administer and direct programs related to the management and harvesting of forest resources. They are employed by the forest industry, provincial and federal governments, consulting companies, educational institutions and other industries, or they may be self-employed.

Public and environmental health and safety professionals review, evaluate and monitor public health and environmental safety hazards and develop strategies to prevent, control and eliminate disease and environmental impact caused by biological and chemical factors. They inspect restaurants, industrial establishments, municipal water systems, public facilities and institutions to ensure compliance with government regulations regarding sanitation, pollution control and the handling and storage of hazardous substances. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.

Forestry technologists and technicians may work independently or perform technical and supervisory functions in support of forestry research, forest management, forest harvesting, forest resource conservation and environmental protection. They are employed by the forest industry sector, provincial and federal governments, consulting firms, and other industries and institutions, or they may be self-employed.

Supervisors in logging and forestry supervise and coordinate the activities of workers engaged in logging operations and silvicultural operations. They are employed by logging companies, contractors and government agencies.

Silviculture and forestry workers perform a variety of duties related to reforestation and to the management, improvement and conservation of forest lands. They are employed by logging companies, contractors and government services.

Logging and forestry labourers perform a variety of manual tasks such as attaching choker cables to logs, planting trees, clearing brush, spraying chemicals, cleaning up landing areas and assisting other workers in woodlands operations. They are employed by logging companies and contractors.

Supervisors in forest products processing supervise and coordinate the activities of workers engaged in pulp and paper production and wood processing and manufacturing. They are employed by pulp and paper companies, paper converting companies, sawmills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing companies.

Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators operate and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of wood, scrap pulp, recyclable paper, cellulose materials, paper pulp and paperboard. They are employed by pulp and paper companies.

The purpose of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Fundamentals micro-credential is to enable companies, teams, and individual employees to understand and act on ESG factors to generate positive impacts for all stakeholders. This microcredential enables participants to develop ESG strategies and actions – the fuel for our collective ESG journey. In the program, you will identify what you already do well, what you can do more of, what needs to change, and what strategies can be put into place to positively impact people, the planet, and productivity. Participants will learn the fundamentals of environmental, social and governance factors. ESG performance requires people at all levels of organizations to consider opportunities to positively impact people, planet, and productivity. Join this training to advance your ESG understanding and design meaningful ESG actions.

ESG Fundamentals Impacting People, Planet & Productivity

The MENREP gives trainees an overview of critical skills and techniques commonly used in jobs pertaining to natural resources. It focuses on the theory and practice of conservation, management, and applied skills. This offering is designed to enable students to pursue junior positions in natural resource jobs and make an informed selection of the deeper field of study they wish to pursue.

Essentials of Natural Resource and Environmental Protection (MENREP) Micro-credential

The Introduction to Forest Health Quantification with RPAS focuses on the theory and practical skills related to how remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, as known as drones) are being used to quantitatively assess forest health using multi-spectral and thermal geospatial data. You can gain knowledge and hands-on training about safe RPAS operations, mission planning, photogrammetric image processing and multi-layer GIS analysis for the purpose of quantifying variables related to the health of a forest stand. Valid certification in Basic, Advanced, or Flight Reviewer Transport Canada Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) is an asset.

Introduction to Forest Health Quantification with RPAS Micro-credential

In the Environmental Water Monitoring Certificate of Achievement, you'll build the foundational and technical skills you need to work effectively in the field in just five weeks. Developed in collaboration with industry specialists, this program prepares you for field-intensive work related to water testing and monitoring for a variety of government and industry stakeholders. Upon successful completion of this program, you will be awarded a College of the Rockies Continuing Education Certificate of Achievement.

Environmental Water Monitoring Certificate of Achievement

 The Greenhouse Practices and Operational Fundamentals Micro-credential prepares you with the core skills needed to work in greenhouse environments. From starting plants and keeping them healthy, to exploring the tools and technology behind modern greenhouses.

Greenhouse Practices and Operational Fundamentals Micro-credential

Ths micro-credential provides learners with a foundational competency set in mass timber design and 3D BIM fabrication using Cadwork software, conflict resolution communications, wood species and wood project integration, design for CNC machining, and 2D drawing packages and materials lists for project assembly.

Mass Timber Fabrication Design Micro-credential

**This is a StrongerBC future skills grant eligible program.** Visit our [StrongerBC future skills grant page](https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/future-skills-grant) to learn about grant eligibility and how to apply. 

**Special notice for University of British Columbia StrongerBC future skills grant programs**
Apply for the StrongerBC future skills grant first for UBC eligible programs. UBC will reach out to you directly regarding your grant application. Submitting a grant application does not guarantee funding. Funding is subject to availability.
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The UBC Micro-certificate in Analytics for Leaders in Ocean Management is a part-time online program which enables students to build their analytics knowledge and create solutions for sustainable-equitable development and management of blue economy conservation, marine biodiversity and natural resources.

Analytics for Leaders in Ocean Management Micro-Certificate - UBCV

The Co-Management of Natural Resources (CNR) Online micro-certificate provides Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals with an opportunity to gain the competencies required to build and implement tools and strategies for advancing co-management initiatives, institutional and relational change, and intercultural understanding. The program will develop skills and competencies for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals to make these partnerships successful and mutually beneficial. Multiple perspectives, such as Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, are brought together to help build more durable solutions to natural resource management conflicts. The program is grounded on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Co-Management of Natural Resources Micro-certificate - UBCV

The Micro-Certificate in Environmental Metrics for Sustainability Reporting is a flexible professional development program that provides insight into the fundamentals of sustainability reporting with a unique emphasis on environmental metric data management and decision making.

Environmental Metrics for Sustainability Reporting Micro-certificate - UBCV

The Faculty of Forestry’s Forest Carbon Management (FCM) micro-certificate provides natural resource managers with an understanding of forest carbon accounting, related data sources and analysis, and the architecture of forest carbon projects and associated markets. The program also includes topics of both compliance and voluntary markets, domestic and international forest carbon projects. It is a foundation for professionals, including those currently working and those seeking to gain additional skills to diversify employment opportunities and roles. It offers a unique perspective based on an ongoing collaboration between University researchers and practitioners from government, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and industry.

Forest Carbon Management Micro-certificate - UBCV

The Faculty of Forestry’s Forest Health Micro-Certificate (FHM) is a program that provides professionals with the basic knowledge on how to detect and diagnose forest health issues, and how to mitigate their impact. The course covers forest health issues caused by biotic agents such as insects and pathogens. By the end of the program, we expect the participants to be able to recognize the most important biotic agents causing outbreaks in BC and to be able to prescribe mitigation solutions.

Forest Health Management Micro-certificate - UBCV

The Faculty of Forestry’s Forest Management Planning Micro-Certificate is a flexible 8-week online program that provides professionals with foundational knowledge of core forest management planning concepts, tools and skills to assess and compare forest management options and their impacts on a range of forest ecosystem services, as well as how to develop forest management plans.

Forest Management Planning Micro-Certificate - UBCV

The Foundations of Advanced Silviculture Micro-Certificate offers forestry professionals a thorough understanding of key silvicultural principles to address the evolving challenges in forest management. This 60-hour micro-certificate combines online courses, covering essential topics such as forest regeneration, ecosystem classification, and the application of climate science. 

You will explore foundational concepts of silviculture, current industry practices, and effective management strategies to ensure long-term forest health. The micro-certificate also emphasizes adaptive management and the use of monitoring systems for continuous improvement. Upon completion, participants will be equipped to make informed, sustainable decisions in forest and stand management, balancing ecological, social, and economic objectives.

Foundations of Advanced Silviculture Micro-certificate - UBCV

The Faculty of Forestry’s Hybrid Timber Construction Micro-Certificate provides design professionals with an understanding of hybrid construction with structural components or systems engineered by combining wood and wood-based products with other materials, mainly steel or reinforced concrete.

Hybrid Timber Construction Micro-Certificate - UBCV

The Landscape Level Forest Modeling Micro-Certificate provides professionals with introductory knowledge of forest modeling techniques, and how they can inform forest management and forest policy decisions.

Landscape Level Forest Modelling Micro-Certificate - UBCV

The Leadership in Sustainable Mine Closure Microcertificate brings together global perspectives, the program has been created in collaboration with academia, industry, First Nations and Indigenous communities. Its interconnected modules give learners the capabilities and insights that help shape decisions throughout the mining and minerals processing lifecycle and deliver better closure outcomes. 





Leadership in Sustainable Mine Closure Microcertificate - UBCV

The Strategic Management for Sustainability micro-certificate is designed in consultation with sustainability management professionals to give you applied tools that will allow you to work towards your organizational sustainability goals and expand your credentials as sustainability managers. This micro-certificate responds to the growing pressure faced by businesses, governments, and civil society groups to align their operations with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Strategic Management for Sustainability Micro-certificate - UBCV

This micro-certificate covers specialized technical topics on mass timber products and building systems with a focus on the practical design of tall wood structures, utilizing current building standards and innovative design methods. It emphasizes the unique properties of wood as a construction material and demonstrates how designers can apply these properties to design safe and reliable tall wood structures in an efficient way.

This micro-certificate will help design professionals develop skills and competencies for an applied understanding of both advantages and challenges of wood in tall wood structures. The micro-certificate consists of four courses that cover different aspects of tall wood design and modelling.

Tall Wood Structures Micro-certificate - UBCV

Wetlands are highly productive, diverse environments that provide critical habitat for specialist plants and wildlife, mitigate flooding, remove excess nutrients from water and provide natural fire breaks in the landscape. Though wetlands are protected and regulated in Canada, the loss and degradation of wetland habitats have been extensive. The Wetland Delineation and Assessment (WDA) micro-credential courses address an urgent need for rigorous, unbiased training on the assessment and delineation of wetland boundaries, with topics including wetland classification, functions and values, impact assessment and wetland policy.

Wetland Delineation and Assessment Micro-credential - UBCO

The Ecosystems Field Data Collection Micro-Credential trains resource and/or forestry practitioners in the use of field skills to identify ecosystems in the field, describe and map ecological strata, identify and describe critical soil hazards and site issues. Procedures and methodologies taught will allow practitioners to classify areas, even if they are devoid of vegetation due to wildfire, or other alterations. 

Ecosystems Field Data Collection Micro-credential

Whether you're on the path to becoming a Registered Professional Forester (RPF), looking to expand your technical knowledge, or aiming to move into a more advanced role, this micro-credential gives you the skills and confidence to lead in forest health and sustainable silviculture. 

Through a series of online, self-paced courses grounded in UNBC’s accredited forestry curriculum, you’ll build applied knowledge that translates directly to your work in the field.

Take on its own or as part of the Sustainable Forest Management Certificate. 

Forest Health and Silviculture Micro-credential

Whether you’re looking for introductory training or detailed software, manufacturing, or modeling courses, the Mass Timber Micro-credential will provide you with knowledge and skills for your current or aspiring career. The use of mass timber is growing in BC, bringing jobs in construction, design, and fabrication. Those who wish to work in this field will benefit from further training in mass-timber-specific manufacturing techniques. 

Educational Path

Natural Resources Micro-credentials

Programs

Careers