BCFSC is approved by WorkSafeBC as an administrator of the BC Faller Training Standard, and as such, is approved to provide training and certification to individuals wishing to become Certified Fallers. New Faller Training is available to all potential applicants who are a minimum of 18 years of age, physically and mentally fit and possess the desire to work safely and productively as a hand faller.
Course Content
New Faller Training is a challenging and comprehensive 30 day program which involves classroom training, interactive exercises, reviews and evaluations and closely supervised field training involving all aspects of chainsaw operation, falling and bucking.
Proposed Course Dates
(Subject to change - please contact the BCFSC to confirm)
- September 26 – October 28, 2024 (this course is full)
Tuition fees for 2024
- $27,500 + GST
Tuition fees are collected by the College of the Rockies. Please contact the college at 250-344-5901 to register and provide payment information.
Pre-Screen Testing
All applicants will be required to complete pre-screen testing. Only those applicants that have paid the tuition fee in full will be given access to the pre-screen testing. Testing must be completed prior to the start of the course.
The pre-screen testing was created with input from industry to help identify those individuals most likely to be successful in the program and as Fallers in the future.
The key dimensions of a successful candidate entering the New Faller Training program are:
- Spatial ability
- General cognitive ability
- Learning and adaptability
- Stress tolerance/resilience
- Productivity
- Organization identification
- Working collaboratively
The pre-screen testing is comprised of six tests that consist of cognitive ability and personality inventory. The testing should take approximately two hours and is completed online. Results from the testing do not determine whether an individual enters the program or not. Rather, it helps identify areas of strength and areas that may require additional training.
Faller Certification Requirements
- Completion of the 30-day BCFSC New Faller Training Program
- Work as a trainee faller in a forestry/production setting under the direction and close supervision of a BCFSC certified faller
- Completion of the 30-day training program authorizes candidates to work as trainee fallers in BC under the direction and close supervision of a BCFSC certified faller. Candidates are responsible to arrange the ‘up to 180 days’ of falling experience in a forestry/production setting with a BCFSC certified faller.
- During this time, a minimum of 20 Faller Trainee Weekly Training and Progress Reports must be completed and submitted to the BCFSC. These reports must be submitted within 2-months of the date the work took place and will expire after a 2-year period.
- The last 5 approved weekly progress reports must clearly indicate the trainee is meeting the BC Faller Training Standard in all parts.
- After the minimum amount of weekly progress reports have been approved, the trainee’s supervisor must clearly indicate that the trainee is ready to be assessed.
- During the ‘up to 180 days’, the BCFSC will schedule, at minimum, 3 quality assurance visits. This is to provide support to not only the trainee but also the faller or supervisor providing the training.
- Apply for certification through the BC Forest Safety Council – additional fee is required.