Part of the BWA’s strategic plan is to create and develop links to area colleges where part of our future workforce is being developed. Read on for more details on this important initiative!
The Bluewater Wood Alliance has adopted part of its strategic plan to work with educational institutions to help create the links between the wood manufacturers’ needs, and the curriculum of various wood technology programs such as cabinetmaking and carpentry techniques. The BWA manager Mike Baker now sits on the steering committee for the cabinetmaking program at Georgian College in Barrie.
This committee consists of other industry members, as well as college professors and administration. They meet regularly to solicit feedback from industry to help them keep their programs relevant and up to date with the needs of the wood industry.
However, to kick it up a notch, the BWA is inviting their manufacturing members to visit this committee on a rotating basis along with the BA manager to give direct and honest input to help these programs be the best they can be to serve the needs of the students and the industry. Even better, we are going in to speak to the student in the shop classes to provide them with unique perspectives on how to be successful once they graduate.
Pictured below is BWA member Mike Landman of Southgate Cabinets who accompanied Mike Baker to Georgian College last week to sit in on the committee meeting as well as speak to the cabinetmaking class in their shop. Lively discussion indeed!
BWA member Mike Landman of Southgate Cabinets talks with students in the Cabinet Making program at Georgian College in Barrie
BWA member Mike Landman of Southgate Cabinets talks with students in the Cabinet Making program at Georgian College in Barrie.
This type outreach is extremely important for future workforce development for BWA members, and the discussions that take place between manufacturers and students will help them succeed upon graduation.
Many thanks to Mike Landman of Southgate Cabinets for taking the time to join BWA manager Mike Baker for this outreach activity!
Pictured below is the Georgian College Cabinetmaking class, along with faculty Lynn MacKinley, and Mike Landman and Mike Baker.
Stay tuned for more of this kind of valuable outreach activity to help with our workforce development!
Georgian College Barrie Campus Cabinetmaking class, with BWA member Mike Landman of Southgate Cabinets, and BWA manager, Mike Baker
Comments are closed.