Free to grow in forestry certification program

Get certified

The FTG Certification Program is a series of online training modules designed to provide members of the forest sector with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to navigate the complexities of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their workplace.

With four courses expertly curated by our team, this Program offers practical guidance on how to be an effective ally, how to be an inclusive leader at each stage of the employee lifecycle and how to create greater acceptance to DEI in your workplace:

  1. Lead the Change: Unlocking the Competitive Advantage of Inclusion

  2. Allyship in Action: From Intent to Positive Impact

  3. Inclusive Leadership: Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

  4. Overcoming Resistance to DEI in the Workplace: Tools and Strategies to Make Change Happen

Les cours de formation en ligne sont actuellement disponibles en anglais uniquement.

The online training courses are currently available in English only.

About the program

The FTG Certification Program is:

  • Industry tested

  • Interactive and engaging

  • Flexible and mobile friendly learning

And by the end of the Program, you will be able to:

  • Explain the importance of having a diverse and inclusive team.

  • Articulate what a healthy, vibrant culture of equity and inclusion entails to your team.

  • Translate the significance of workplace equity and inclusion for yourself and your team.

  • Understand the fundamental components required to establish a culture of DEI within your team.

enroll today

From increased employee engagement to measurable improvements in workplace culture, the benefits of embracing DEI initiatives are undeniable.

By becoming FTG Certified, you not only demonstrate your commitment to DEI efforts but also equip yourself with invaluable skills to propel your career in forestry forward.

Enroll today to play a pivotal role in driving positive change within your organization.

Course content developed by CSI in collaboration with the forest sector.

Creating an inclusive and diverse workplace

Pillar 2: Fostering an inclusive culture of the Free to Grow in Forestry initiative aims to create pathways for the recruitment, retention and advancement of women and underrepresented groups in the forest sector through best practices and the development of innovative thinking that groups can use to affect change across their organizations.

Developed as part of Pillar 2 , the Centre for Social Intelligence created the Free to Grow in Forestry Certification Program - highly interactive, mobile-friendly online training courses that help engage individuals on why they need to take action, and then how to go about it.

Testimonials

  • "Kelly Cooper's training modules on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace are groundbreaking. Professional, practical, and achievable! Using a storytelling approach that includes her own experiences, Kelly Cooper builds the case for the benefits of diversity to build successful enterprises--"the potential of the diversity advantage". The tools provided to learn allyship, inclusive leadership and how to overcome resistance are invaluable. Her steps to "be the change, make the change, and leverage the change" provide a clear path for transforming the workplace. Although directed at the private sector, I couldn't help but think about all the other enterprises--public service, nonprofits, etc.--that would benefit from this training. Thank you, Kelly!"

    Dr. M.A. (Peggy) Smith, R.P.F. (Ret.)
    Professor Emerita, Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University

  • "I recommend these training courses to anyone who wants to think about the positioning of their company with regard to D&I. If you are unsure or looking for how to start a D&I process or want concrete tools to help you and your team move to the next step, take the time to follow these training courses, they will certainly be useful to you."

    Johanne Latour
    Vice-présidente des ressources humaines | Vice President of Human Resources
    Les Entreprises Barrette

  • "The Free to Grow training modules were nothing short of transformative! Kelly’s expertise and passion for fostering a more inclusive and diverse workplace environment were evident throughout the program. The modules provide valuable insights into the nuances of diversity, equity, and inclusion, helping one better understand the importance of creating a workplace that embraces differences. The exercises within support reflective discussions and real-life scenarios with allow for further exploration of the topics at hand. This practical approach sets this training apart from others. From understanding unconscious bias to fostering allyship and promoting a culture of belonging, the modules cover a wide range of important topics. Thank you, Kelly, for developing DEI training that seeks to enhance our understanding and for leading the change!"

    Kristen Stinson
    Vice President, People, Culture, Health, Safety & Environment
    Regency Fireplace Products

  • "The Free to Grow in Forestry’s Inclusion, Equity and Diversity training is very easy to navigate. The ability to work through this at whatever pace suites you is great. I found the section on overcoming resistance particularly insightful. I would recommend this to folks just starting out with their I&D journey, as well as people who are well on their way as there is a learning opportunity for everyone. 8/10 rating."

    Nelson Schneider
    Training Program Manager
    Canadian Forest Products (Canfor)
    Chair 2024 Diversity Council

  • "This training gave me the courage and the tools to start having these conversations in my workplace. It’s often not easy to start these conversations, but once you begin, armed with the tools from this training, you can have deep and meaningful conversations within your organization that lead to positive change from a value-add and diversity perspective."

    Sarah C. Billig
    Director, Stewardship
    Mendocino and Humboldt Redwood Companies

  • "I recommend this training for anybody searching for the language to express ideas and concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These are important topics but can prove difficult to articulate, and this training helped me with that."

    Loni Pierce
    President (2023-2024)
    Canadian Institute of Forestry

  • "I thought the Free to Grow in Forestry Certification Course was a perfect introduction to DE&I and gave me the tools to start implementing change in my organization. The platform was easy to use, highly engaging, and provided real stories that made the training approachable. Also, I really enjoyed the pop culture references throughout the course. It made the training feel less corporate. I would highly recommend this course to anyone leading a team in the forest sector! "

    Tyler Niles
    Silviculture Manager
    Grande Prairie Timberlands
    Weyerhaeuser

  • "I was impressed with the Free to Grow in Forestry certification course! The training covers key issues that the forest sector faces and helps support our efforts to attract and retain a best in class workforce. The content is easily digestible, innovative, dynamic as well as practical and immediately applicable. I recommend this training for anyone wanting to make a positive impact in their organization and our sector."

    Alicia Cramer
    Senior V.P.
    US Endowment for Forestry and Communities

  • "I feel that the Free to Grow in Forestry Certification Course is a great way to introduce the topic of Diversity & Inclusion to people working in the forest industry. The training is personal and relevant. Although suited for middle managers, I think anyone would find something in this training that resonates with them and makes them think about their own actions and biases and how those impact their organization. The module structure allows you exposure a little at a time, providing the space a person needs for reflection and to absorb the messages. Highly recommend! "

    Traci Carter, RPFT
    Weyerhaeuser

  • "The Wood Pellet Association of Canada is striving to be among the most inclusive and successful trade associations by actively seeking out diversity across our industry. We applaud the Free to Grow in Forestry (FTGIF) initiative’s pursuit of gender equality and meaningful inclusion of equity-deserving groups in the forest sector. To this end, we recommend FGTIF’s new training modules. They cover essential topics like the competitive advantage of diversity and inclusion; making a positive impact; the role of leadership in attracting and retaining top talent; and overcoming resistance to make change happen. We especially appreciate how the modules are designed to be picked up and left off progressively in small blocks of time, making them convenient for even the busiest managers. And making them smart phone-compatible was brilliant!"

    Gordon Murray, RPF, CPA, CMA
    Executive Director
    Wood Pellet Association of Canada

  • "My job involves assisting colleagues in DEI programming with focus on technical and evidence-based methods. While many DEI in workplace training materials discuss the importance of DEI (what and why), few offer the “how”. This online training, however, fills that gap by offering actionable insights grounded in theory, experience and enriched with practical examples – a rarity. An invaluable resource that I thoroughly enjoy."

    Sinta Dewi
    Senior Manager, Gender and Diversity
    Forest Stewardship Council International
    Bonn, Germany