2019

Shadow Day: Students Work Hand in Hand with LVM Specialists

Introducing the preconditions for sustainable forest management, JSC "Latvia's State Forests" (LVM) offered the Shadow Day participants to take a look at the daily routine of their work. School students had an opportunity not only to go to the forest together with loggers and specialists of the Labour Safety and Control Department, but also to participate in meetings, get acquainted with the company's information circulation systems and analyse the obtained forest data using information technologies also in the office.

The first Shadow Day

Anna and Leina, 5th year students of Eleja Secondary School, tried the role of a shadow for the very first time. The choice was made in favour of the workplace of Anna's father - LVM Safety and Control Unit - trying to reveal the secrets of his profession. "I wanted the girls to get acquainted with the company's activities and values as much as possible. Colleagues from the Communication Unit drew attention to responsible and environmentally friendly forest management implemented by the company, offering a range of well-maintained recreation areas throughout Latvia, while Safety Department staff reminded them about our responsibility to take good care of the forest. That is why we went to the forest later that day," says Uldis Lejava, LVM Safety and Control Specialist.

In line with safety requirements, equipped with helmets and reflective vests, the shadows arrived to LVM Vidusdaugava region forest, where logger Artis Ērmanis introduced the participants to the forest equipment not only by telling and showing, but also by allowing it to be seen in action. "The girls had an opportunity to become harvester operators themselves. At the end of the day, the girls were very tired and admitted that they had not imagined how many people worked at LVM, doing different jobs," Uldis Lejava describes the exciting events of the day.

"I really enjoyed this day, I met so many people; it was so exciting to learn about their daily work and main duties. I had never thought that I would be able to get into a smart car - it was an unexpected and very pleasant surprise. Their drivers need to learn a lot. I also realised why you can see a pile of twigs in some places in forests - they are intended for chipping, that was something new to me," says Anna.

Anna's classmate Leina was also most impressed by the demonstrations and practical works of forest machinery. "I liked to be in the forest, driving there with a machine that looks like a tractor. It was impressive. I live near a forest, so I often go to the forest to walk my dog. I like it," says Leina.

Forest sector - yes or no

"When I arrived at LVM, I wanted to see how it all works here. I did not have an idea about the internal processes, nor did I know if the position of an infrastructure manager was related to work in the office or being in the forest. Every year, I participate in the Shadow Day, shadowing professionals of different industries to understand what is most relevant to me. Last year, I turned to architecture, this year - to forestry. For some time, I have been seriously considering the idea of studying at the Forest Faculty of Latvia University of Agriculture. However, I cannot deny my interest in sports and preparing surveys in English, so I still have to understand in which country, in what language and in what area I will work," says Ingus, a 12th grade student of Jelgava State Gymnasium, who applied to get acquainted with the daily work of Artūrs Markots, LVM Forest Infrastructure Construction Process Manager.

During the first part of the day, Ingus together with his supervisor performed his daily duties, familiarising himself with the work of LVM's internal systems, money and document circulation system, getting an insight into the responsibility and duties of the managerial position. A number of resolutions were drawn up, invoices approved, letters reviewed, contracts signed and changes made.

"I tried to offer my shadow my practical experience working as a LVM Infrastructure Manager, and these responsibilities also include collecting information and presenting it to my colleagues in regions. This time, we looked at the last year's results of the use of infrastructure, the achievements and the challenges and tasks for this year. It was a coincidence that today we had to finish the final presentation of the year, which allowed Ingus to get involved and evaluate the story I have prepared for my colleagues," says LVM Forest Infrastructure Manager.

Everyday work is not boring at all

Rihards, a 10th grade student at Druva Secondary School, had an opportunity to look at logging processes trying the shoes of a logger. Jānis Bertrāns, LVM Southern Kurzeme Region Logger, tried to show his shadow the most interesting parts of the job of a logger. While moving from one facility to another, they discussed the most exciting things in daily work.

"The student had a great interest in logging, so the day was really interesting. First, we looked at and evaluated the harvesters and forwarders in thinning as well as in clear felling areas. The forest machine operators were happy to tell about their work. Later, we went to a stack of about 4000 m3. Assortments were on both sides of the year," says Jānis Bertrāns.

"My journey on the Shadow Day took me to South Kurzeme - Zvārde un Kabile. I watched Jānis Bertrāns do his daily work, for example, performing taxation, supervising and logger's duties. My interest in the forest industry since last year, when I shadowed a private forest industry specialist, has not diminished. Quite the contrary. There is space for growth and development, everyday work is not boring at all. This year, I wanted to make sure that logging was really something for me. The day passed very quickly and was so exciting; I learned many new things. After graduating from secondary school I consider joining the Forest Faculty of Latvia University of Agriculture and working as a logging specialist after my studies," says Rihards.

The forest is my home

Guntis Ščepaniks, LVM Forest Infrastructure and Hunting Manager, gave his shadow Atis, a 9th grade student of Birzgale Elementary School, an opportunity to get acquainted with his daily work duties, which also included several meetings to address a number of important issues. "Atis had an opportunity to observe the lively discussions on controversial issues in the development of guidelines for the management of the deer population. Here he could listen to different points of view, on matters such as the question of determining the extent of hunting of animals and its relevance to the actual situation in nature. The most important thing in such situations is to listen and find a common standpoint. Later on, we had a meeting on maintaining recreation sites for hunters and conditions for arranging new places; this topic seemed more attractive to Atis and also easier to understand," says Guntis Ščepaniks. 

Using the options offered by LVM GEO map, Atis was able to view his own house, terrain of the surrounding area and other interesting information, which shows that IT technology plays a big role in forestry.

Atis' choice to shadow LVM Forest Infrastructure and Hunting Manager Guntis Ščepaniks was very logical: "The forest has an important role in my life; I have grown up and feel in harmony with myself here. I can be free in the forest, no one tells me what to do. I live in the middle of a forest in Ķegums Municipality, forest animals often visit my backyard pond, my dad works in private forests, so forest management and hunting of forest animals is not at all foreign to me, therefore I highly value a knowledgeable person who can show and teach me something new. I have to admit that I did not think this day would be so interesting. There was not a single boring moment that day. I met so many people, so many influential people as never before. And I learned about what LVM does - there are so many departments and business directions, so much work and responsibility to make our forest grow productive and healthy," says Atis. At the same time, thinking about the future, Atis is confident about his studies at Ogre Technical School: "I want to become a forest machine mechanic and a forest machine operator. And I would like to shadow again," says Atis.