The Oregon forest industry is becoming increasingly dependent on mechanized harvesting systems to meet its harvesting requirements. This is driven by a shortage of skilled forest labor, a desire to reduce the frequency of severe injuries to forest workers, and to maintain competitiveness in a global economy. The goals of this project are 1) to provide the student with hands on experience in mechanized forest harvesting, 2) to develop an ongoing apprentice program for forestry students by collaborating with local mechanized logging companies, and 3) to provide local high schools with exposure to education in forest operations. Graduating with a detailed formal education in forestry and forest harvesting, combined with hands on experience with equipment, will provide the student with a valuable skill set for a career in modern forest operations. The student will begin training in the OSU mechanize forest harvesting laboratory (MHL) (https://mhl.forestry.oregonstate.edu). In the MHL the student will work through a supervised training regime on the harvesting simulators learning how to run a range of harvesting machines both safely and productively. This project will also be partnering with Austin Finster (https://finsterforestry.com). Austin is a graduate of the OSU Forest Operations Management Program, and now owns a harvester and forwarder specializing in harvesting activities for small land owners. Austin will assist in the simulator training and provide opportunities for field experience in his machines. Austin’s goal is to help develop an operator that he can employ fulltime during the summer months and part time during the following winter. Thus, an undergraduate student is a good fit given Austin’s objectives.