Evaluation of a Logger Training and Education Program in Virginia

Virginia's SHARP Logger education and training program began in late 1995 and consists of three training sessions on logging safety, business management, and harvest planning. Through 1997, 408 loggers had completed the program. A post-training evaluation of the program's impact was conducted in 1998. On-site interviews and observations of 50 sample participants focused on determining changes made as a result of the training. Results indicate that 86% of participants believed that their operation was improved as a result of their training. The harvest planning training was the most effective (95% of the participants reported change[s]), then logging safety (82%), and business management (59%). Ninety-six percent of participants rated the training as being of much (55%) or some (41%) benefit, while 4% felt it was of little or no benefit.