Workforce development for the wood industry is critical! 60 more students toured our shops this week!
Word gets around fast when you are doing good things for the wood industry!
Earlier this month, BWA members hosted shop tours in the Bluewater Board of Education Region. This time it was Huron/Perth’s turn!
Workforce development for our industry is critical, especially with the reduction of tech programs in our regional education system. We need to reach out to existing shop students, shop teachers, and their school boards to let them know the kinds of opportunities that exist in our industry. And thats exactly what the Bluewater Wood Alliance is doing!
On March 23, the BWA worked in cooperation with the 4 County Labour Market Planning Board and the MNRF to provide a day of two shop tours for 60 wood shop high school students and their teachers in Huron and Perth Counties. Dj’s Furniture and Royal Homes hosted the tours near Wingham, ON.
The tours were followed by a lunch and a panel discussion with reps from DJs Furniture and South Bruce Flooring. This event exposed the students to new technology in the wood industry including an optimizing saw and 5 axis CNC. It also introduced them to the trend of mass customization that is becoming the future in our industry.
Most importantly, the students had the opportunity to speak with people in the wood industry and learn about opportunities that exist in their businesses, and the types of behaviours and ethics necessary to be successful in the working world. Hearing it from the “horses mouth” hits home with the students. Teachers are grateful when their message to students can be supported by real world examples!
The BWA will continue to conduct this kind of workforce development in the cluster region of southwestern Ontario. Watch for the next workforce development event coming near you!
If you want more information on the BWA, please contact BWA Executive Director, Mike Baker: manager@bluewaterwoodalliance.com
DJ’s Furniture demonstrates optimizing saw technology to students.
5 Axis CNC demonstrated to students at DJ’s Furniture.
Dennis McGlynn of South Bruce Flooring speaking to part of the student group.
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