New Academic Alliance Brings Advanced Forest Technology Certificate program to Northern Michigan

A new academic alliance brings advanced training and high-tech simulators to the heart of Michigan timber country.

An exciting shift is happening in the heart of Michigan's timberlands. A major new partnership is set to transform how the state prepares its next generation of forestry professionals.

The Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology (MSU IAT) is officially joining forces with Kirtland Community College. Starting in Fall 2026, this collaboration will bring the highly regarded Forest Technology Certificate program directly to north-central Michigan. The strategic initiative allows students to earn a prestigious MSU certificate while simultaneously completing their associate degree locally, creating an affordable, fast-track pathway into a booming industry.

According to reports tracked by CIO Bulletin, Michigan's forest products sector is a massive economic engine, pouring more than $26.5 billion annually into the state economy and supporting roughly 88,000 jobs. With forests covering over half of the state, the demand for skilled boots on the ground has never been higher.

High-Tech Training for Growing Careers

This program goes far beyond traditional classroom reading. Students will dive into a blended curriculum of online learning and intense, hands-on outdoor field labs. In a major tech upgrade, Kirtland recently secured a $100,000 state budget allotment to acquire a state-of-the-art forestry harvester simulator, making it the only institution in Michigan to offer this virtual reality training.

Through this program, students will master:

• Real-world tree identification and forest inventory techniques

• Drone applications, GIS, and GPS technology in modern forestry

• Wildland firefighting and heavy equipment safety

• Paid professional internships with local employers

Filling a Crucial Economic Need

The expansion comes at a critical time as major industry investments, like Arauco's $450 million particleboard facility in Grayling, drive up the regional need for specialized technicians.

“Our state’s vibrant and robust forestry industry relies on talented, hardworking professionals to safely and responsibly manage and harvest the timber we rely on,” said Craig Knudson, Michigan Farm Bureau Industry Relations Specialist.

By bridging the gap between world-class university education and local community access, this partnership ensures that Michigan's natural resources will be managed by a highly trained, innovative workforce for decades to come.