Caught in the squeeze

The increase in environmental consciousness from consumers around the globe is adding a new level of complexity to the task of managing the industry and its wood supply. [...] One of the most pressing issues for the forest industry in Canada is the dwindling supply of labour, and in particular the lack of skilled workers. [...] The productivity and profitability of firms in the forest industry depends on the skills and capabilities of its workforce. [...] To gain a better understanding of the labour force issues and how they are likely to affect the future competitiveness of the forest 1 industry, the Forest Safety Society of Nova Scotia asked APEC to undertake a consultation with industry representatives around the province. [...] The report pointed to patterns of employment in the Forest Employment Trending Down Forest Industry Employment, Nova Scotia (000’s) industry such as the trend 9.0 Primary Forestry towards a better educated and Forest Products 8.0 skilled workforce, the 7.0 6.0 continued importance of forest 5.0 industry employment to many 4.0 3.0 rural communities, the 2.0 increasing number of workers 1.0 in the w