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Logging Industry Workers

Advancement Prospects

Loggers may advance in their jobs in several ways. They may move into more skilled tasks, take on supervisory positions, move into company management, or start their own logging firms.

While on the job, logging helpers and laborers can learn more skilled tasks, such as falling, and move into higher positions when openings occur. Becoming proficient at some logging skills can take as long as four years. Some of the larger companies have programs to train employees in falling, bucking, skidder driving, or loading. Since training is normally done by more experienced employees, those workers who have been on the job a long time may be promoted to the position of trainer.

To move into supervisory jobs, workers must show exceptional leadership skills, have long tenure with an employer, or receive further education. To move into managerial positions, workers need a great deal of experience and education. Some large companies may hire only college graduates as managers.

Experienced workers may eventually decide to buy their own equipment and work independently, contracting their services out. If successful, they might hire other employees and evolve into a small logging company, a very profitable avenue of advancement.

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