Industry News News Women in Forestry
Western Forest Products creates new bursary to support women in forestry

Western Forest Products Inc. (Western) announced yesterday that it is partnering with Vancouver Island University to establish a bursary to encourage and support more women to enter a career in forestry.

The Western Forest Products Bursary for Women in Forestry will cover half of the tuition fees for the successful candidate enrolled in VIU’s two-year Forestry Resources Technology Diploma Program.

Bursary applications are being accepted from Sept. 1 until Oct. 31, 2022, for the program starting Sept. 2022. Priority will be given to those who have graduated from a secondary school in communities where Western operates; or, have worked for, or have a direct family member who works for Western. Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements here.

“On International Women’s Day, we are proud to acknowledge the contributions of all of the women on the Western team. We have the most gender diverse Board and executive management team in the industry and are working to increase the representation of women at all levels of our workforce as we continue our journey towards enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion at Western,” said Jennifer Foster, senior vice-president, corporate affairs and human resources, Western Forest Products.

“As we join the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day, we are pleased to announce a new bursary that provides financial support to women pursuing a career in forestry,” Foster said.

“We are grateful for Western Forest Products’ support of women in forestry. Before this, VIU did not have any forestry awards specifically for female students. This bursary will help our female students succeed in their program so that they can go on to be productive workers in the forestry industry,” said Jamie Chmielewski, scholarships, awards and bursaries co-ordinator for Vancouver Island University.

The successful candidate will be named in December 2022.