Graduation for SCA's second group of forest machine operators

On July 25th, the graduation day took place in Hussborg for the ten participants of the second round of SCA's training program for aspiring forest machine operators.
"They’ve worked really hard! The training is quite comprehensive and consists of both theoretical and practical elements. It includes simulator training as well as operating actual machines," explains Björn Eriksson, business developer at SCA Forest and one of the individuals responsible for the training program.

High praise for SCA

As with the first training session, the participants were matched with a potential future employer, either SCA or an SCA subcontractor.
"Towards the end of the program, there are several weeks of internship with their respective future employers," Björn emphasizes.
Of the ten graduates, six will start working with various SCA subcontractors, while three have secured positions in different SCA teams. For one trainee, the planned employment encountered some complications, but Björn is confident it will be resolved soon.

The evaluation of the second group gave SCA and the program high marks.
"A total of 41 training components were assessed on a scale of 1 to 5. The overall average rating was 4.5, which feels very positive," Björn notes.

Highly satisfied

Rickard Olausson is one of the ten participants in the second training session. He now operates a harvester for SCA's own team in Svenstavik.
"I am very satisfied and have learned a lot. I’ve operated excavators for 16 years but have always been interested in forest machines. When I heard about the program, I saw my chance. The training primarily focuses on forwarders, but I got the opportunity to switch to harvesters after a while. Now, I’ve been operating harvesters, as well as some forwarders, all summer and truly feel at home."

To anyone considering applying for SCA's training program, Rickard has some advice:
"Apply! You will learn a lot, and the instructors are extremely knowledgeable – they know what they’re talking about. With four method instructors, you have all the support you need when required. Additionally, receiving a salary during training instead of having to take out loans is a major advantage."

New round

SCA’s educational initiative has attracted great interest and many applicants.
"It’s wonderful that so many are interested. I think it’s because we offer a really good program with well-skilled teachers and method instructors, plenty of practical elements, and the fact that students receive a fixed-term salary during training," Björn says.

The third training session begins in Hussborg on Monday, August 11th.
"We’re looking forward to it. However, we don’t have a specific date yet for the application opening for the fourth session, which will likely begin in late February 2026" Björn concludes.

Photo: Björn Eriksson