
Building Your Future
Find a Career You'll Love
We offer forestry co-ops, apprenticeships, engineering student roles and other hands-on learning experiences to help you launch your career in the forestry industry.

At West Fraser, we provide hands-on experience for students pursuing careers in the forest industry. Whether you’re studying Forestry, Wood Science or Biology, our placements offer practical exposure to real-world operations across our Canadian and U.S. locations.
Program Details:
- Placements range from four months to a full year, depending on your academic program and schedule.
- To qualify, you must be enrolled in a relevant Forestry, Wood Science or Biology program at an accredited university, college or polytechnic institute.
Explore Key Areas of Forestry & Woodlands:
- Forestry Planning – Assist with operational planning for harvesting and road construction, along with other planning-related tasks
- Forestry Operations – Gain hands-on experience with harvesting, road construction programs and field inspections.
- Silviculture – Contribute to planting supervision, regeneration surveys, insect probes, stand-tending assessments and other silviculture activities.
- Wood Science – Work alongside technical teams to analyze wood properties, assess product quality and explore innovative solutions in wood processing and manufacturing.
- Biology & Environmental Science – Support biodiversity assessments, wildlife habitat monitoring and sustainability initiatives to promote responsible forestry management.
Why Start Your Forestry Career with West Fraser?
- Sustainable Leadership – Be part of a company dedicated to responsible forest management and environmental stewardship.
- Practical, Hands-On Training – Develop real-world skills through direct involvement in forestry operations.
- Mentorship & Career Growth – Learn from experienced industry professionals and explore potential long-term career opportunities.
- Pathway to Employment – Many students transition into full-time positions after graduation.

West Fraser offers year-round engineering co-op and student placements across Canada and the U.S., providing hands-on experience in a dynamic, large-scale industrial environment. Students gain exposure to multiple departments and develop practical skills in key areas, including Production, Technical & Engineering, Maintenance and Energy Engineering.
Explore Key Areas of Engineering at West Fraser
- Production – Optimize mill processes and ensure efficiency as raw materials are transformed into wood products using advanced chemical, mechanical and computerized control systems.
- Technical & Engineering – Focus on quality control, lab testing, process optimization and engineering projects that drive innovation.
- Maintenance – Support asset management, repair systems, troubleshooting and equipment reliability projects to keep operations running smoothly and cost-effectively.
- Energy Engineering – Contribute to energy efficiency initiatives, biomass energy production, emissions control and industrial energy optimization.
Why Choose West Fraser?
- Advanced Facilities – Work in large-scale operations that integrate cutting-edge processing, electrical and mechanical systems.
- Diverse Learning Opportunities – Gain exposure to multiple departments and cross-functional projects.
- Expert Mentorship – Collaborate with industry leaders and tackle real-world engineering challenges.

At West Fraser, we invest in the next generation of professionals. Each year, we hire students and co-op placements across our Canadian and U.S. operations, offering valuable real-world experience in fields such as Accounting, Sales, Supply Chain, Human Resources and more.
If you're enrolled in a business, finance, supply chain, IT or related program at an accredited university, college or polytechnic institute, we encourage you to apply. Kick-start your career with hands-on experience at West Fraser.
Explore our Student & Co-op Roles
- Accounting & Finance – Assist with financial reporting, budgeting and analysis while gaining exposure to corporate and operational finance.
- Sales & Marketing – Engage in customer relations, market research and business development in the forest products industry.
- Supply Chain & Logistics – Support procurement, inventory management and logistics coordination to enhance operational efficiency.
- Human Resources – Participate in talent acquisition, employee engagement and HR administration to help foster a strong workplace culture.
- Information Technology – Gain experience in IT support, data analytics and digital transformation projects.
Why Join West Fraser?
- Applied Learning – Translate classroom knowledge into practical experience.
- Mentorship & Career Development – Work alongside professionals who support your growth.
- Flexible Placement Options – Opportunities range from four-month work terms to year-long co-ops, depending on your program.
Scholarships
West Fraser supports scholarships and bursaries through educational institutions across our operating regions. These opportunities are administered by the respective institutions on our behalf.
Scholarships are available at several universities, including the University of British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia and the University of Alberta.
For details or to apply, please contact the student awards or financial aid office at the relevant institution.
In addition to these institution-administered scholarships, West Fraser also offers select company-sponsored scholarships, listed below.