(Lewiston) – Idaho’s forestry industry relies on log scalers to establish the value of logs by accurately calculating the potential value-added products that can be manufactured from them. Log scaling also confirms the accuracy of timber cruise volumes, measures log inventory and can be used for assessing taxes.

While more than 31,000 Idahoans work in green collar forest sector jobs, only 127 of them are currently licensed by Idaho to scale logs commercially.

“The forest products industry needs more log scalers,” said Jon Younce, Vice President of Stella-Jones Corporation, North America’s largest cedar pole manufacturer with operations in Sandpoint and Juliaetta, Idaho. “With many scalers approaching retirement age, recruiting and training highly skilled workers is crucial.”

Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) hopes to expand the pool of licensed scalers by offering a free training opportunity to introduce people to this occupation. IDL’s annual Log Scaling School runs from March 29 to 31, 2022, in Lewiston, Idaho.

“There are great jobs available in this field, right now,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller. “Scaling is not a well-known career and recruiting qualified scalers can be difficult. By offering a free 3-day class, we hope to build interest in this rewarding skilled trade.”

Each day of the course includes classroom instruction on scaling theory and hands on scaling experience in a log yard. The class provides a great introduction to the rewarding career of log scaling.

More information about pursuing a career in log scaling and IDL's Log Scaling School is available online at www.idl.idaho.gov under the Forestry menu.