The Ponsse branch in Russia was established in 2005. The company almost immediately realized the need to establish its own training centers, since there is no official training for operators and mechanics of logging equipment in the Russian education system. After extensive work, the first Ponsse training Center was opened on June 19, 2013 in Pitkyaranta, Republic of Karelia. The choice of location is not accidental: once there was a service center, and the logistics of the supply of spare parts was already well established. In addition, a large number of Ponsse machines operate in Karelia, the repair of which is also one of the main functions of the center in Pitkyaranta.
 

The building has modern facilities with all the necessary equipment for training: simulators, suspended video projector, screen, audio speakers, study desks, interactive whiteboard. The building comfortably accommodates study groups for up to 15 people. A great advantage of the location of the service center in Pitkyaranta is that along with theoretical training, practical training with logging machines – harvesters and forwarders can be organized.

In September 2019, the Ponsse training network was expanded with a new largest training and service center in St. Petersburg, which offers a wide range of educational services. The latest research proves that high professional skills of operators play a crucial role in the productivity of logging operations. The new center provides all conditions for training operators and mechanics, as well as training programs for managing the logging process and increasing its productivity, effective cutting back, etc.
The building of the St. Petersburg Training and Service Center is equipped with the latest technology: all Ponsse simulators are available for training operators and a test track for practicing skills. In turn, the mechanics are trained in the service rooms, which can accommodate three forest machines at the same time.

In accordance with the Work Plan approved by the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus, the Republican Center for Advanced Training of Managers and Forestry Specialists conducts advanced training courses for forestry specialists, professional training and retraining of workers, as well as training courses for foresters who do not have specialized education.

For high-quality training of future employees of the logging industry, an appropriate material and technical base has been created. At the disposal of the training unit there is the latest computer simulator Ponsse, designed to train drivers of harvesters and forwarders, all components and assemblies of which are identical to the machine of the corresponding company-manufacturer of logging equipment.

The center has a highly qualified teaching staff. In addition to full-time teachers, heads and specialists of the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus and other departments, teachers of the Belarusian State Technological University, the Republican Institute of Professional Education, the Belarusian State Economic University, the Academy of Management under the President of the Republic of Belarus, etc. are invited to conduct classes.

As the official representative of Ponsse in Belarus UDARNIK has the opportunity to send potential employees for training in Pitkyaranta and St. Petersburg. Ponsse training centers offer a wide range of educational services: courses for harvester and forwarder operators, mechanics, foresters and administrators. The duration of training varies from 1 day to a month, depending on the final goal and the level of training of the student. Non-long-term courses of a narrow focus can be conducted both at the St. Petersburg training center, and at the client. More information about Ponsse educational courses can be found here.