Chainsaw training to be offered to federal inmates on the prairies

Up to 220 inmates serving time behind bars will soon be trained to operate chainsaws.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is seeking a contractor certified to offer chainsaw safety courses at federal institutions in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The federal government has budgeted up to $108,000 to offer the three-day courses, designed to prepare inmates for the workforce after their release from prison.

Often the CSC offers inmates training in trades like cooking, vehicle repair, computer programming or cabinetry. This would be the first time inmates would handle dangerous, gas-powered equipment such as chainsaws.

A request for standing offers was published on the government's procurement websiteFriday, inviting bids from qualified instructors holding a Woodland Trainers Association Chainsaw Safety trainer's certification.

"The contractor must provide all equipment for the training of the participants which will include, but is not limited to: chainsaws, cutting stands, logs, files, oil, gas, chains, Personal Protective Equipment," the document states.

Classes would be taught at federal institutions in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to groups of five to 10 inmates at a time. Certified trainers have untilJuly 11to submit bids.