Coastal Pines' Tommy Peagler Recognized Nationally for Technical Writing
Tommy Peagler (right) receiving FRA National Technical Writing Award from FRA’s SE Region Chairman Barry Parrish (left). (Photo filename: Peagler-FRA-TRAward-National-2017.jpg)
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Charleston, SC – On May 3, the Forest Resources Association (FRA) honored Tommy Peagler with its National Technical Writing Award for 2017. This annual Award recognizes the best Technical Release published by FRA, as selected by FRA’s National Operations Committee.
Tommy Peagler is the instructor for the Timber Harvesting Operations training program at Coastal Pines Technical College in Waycross, Georgia. Tommy wrote a Technical Release, entitled Georgia’s Coastal Pines Timber Harvesting Operations Program. This training program started as an idea from timber companies in South Georgia who wanted to increase opportunities for young people to seek and train for careers in timber harvesting.
Beginning each fall term, the Basic Timber Harvesting Certificate is offered to eligible students attending select area high schools. Those who complete this high school certificate program, for 12 credit hours covering two semesters, can then participate in the Coastal Pines Technical College Timber Harvesting Operations Program for three weeks (full days) in the summer.
With program support from many companies and organizations through monetary gifts, equipment, use of land, and personnel, the Timber Harvesting Operations program includes traditional instruction along with hands-on training using logging equipment. The students receive six hours of credit for successfully completing the Operational program.
The final portion of the program is the Commercial Driver’s certificate program, which includes additional log truck and trailer specialized training. The successful students first train to receive their Georgia Commercial Driver’s License and then can take the continuing education course for log truck and trailer driver training. So a student can receive three different Technical Certificates of credit and one Continuing Education certificate by the time he or she is done with all programs. Additionally, the supporting companies can offer employment opportunities to students who complete all facets of the program.
The Forest Resources Association Inc. is a nonprofit trade association concerned with the safe, efficient, and sustainable harvest of forest products and their transport from woods to mill. FRA represents wood consumers, independent logging contractors, and wood dealers, as well as businesses providing products and services to the forest resource-based industries.
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