Project/activity information

The purpose of this 24-month project is to continue and expand vocational training in sustainable forest management and reduced-impact logging practices in Guyana. The project will build on the experience, successes, partnerships, and assets base of the Forestry Training Centre Incorporated (FTCI), which was established in May 2003 through ITTO Project PD 68/01 Rev 2 (I). The FTCI has prepared a training manual consisting of 17 modules that describe the process of reduced impact logging (RIL) step-by-step and has organized two training courses and one workshop to provide practical training in RIL for skill-levels from forest managers to field-based operators. In view of a further demand for SFM/RIL training and the existing capacity in terms of human resources and facilities to deliver such training, a continuation and broadening of this programme is proposed.

This project will assist human resource development and institutional strengthening in the forestry sector in Guyana. One of the main project activities is to continue the RIL training programme consisting of 27 practical training courses targeting 234 forestry professionals at all levels. The second component of the project activities aims to develop a RIL system and special training programme tailored to the needs of small-scale and community forest operators. 36 persons are expected to benefit from this programme. The third part of the project activities is to broaden the vocational sustainable forest management training programme beyond RIL practices by developing four additional training courses: forest management planning and code of practice standards, forest surveying and mapping, tree species identification, and auditing practices for Criteria and Indicators, from which courses 96 persons are expected to benefit.