200 likes | 212 Views
This article highlights the successful partnership between the North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA), the NAWLA Education Foundation (NEF), Dovetail Partners Inc., and the University of Wisconsin-Stout in developing a program to educate and train young individuals interested in the lumber industry. The article discusses the background, goals, implementation, findings, and future plans of the program, and emphasizes the importance of filling management level positions in the industry. The program has been successful in attracting students from various disciplines and placing them in internships, and will continue to run with plans for improvement.
E N D
Seeing the Forest for the Trees – An Industry and Academic Partnership Michael Bowman, CPC, PE, LEED Green Associate Glendali Rodriguez, AIA, NCARB
Outline • Background- Partners & filling a need • Goals of the program • Implementation • Findings • Future plans • Best Practices
Background – Partners • North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) • Trade Association – over 650 businesses in North America • NAWLA Education Foundation (NEF) • “…solely dedicated to educating, inspiring, and planting a new generation of leaders throughout our industry.”
Background – Partners • Dovetail Partners, INC. • Nonprofit organization hired as a consultant by NEF to develop the program. • University of Wisconsin - Stout • A comprehensive, career focused polytechnic University.
Background – The Need • Traditional lumber association management • Degree in Forestry • Work up through lumber trade • Business background outside of lumber • Future shortfall due to retirements • “A need for young educated individuals, with an interest in lumber, who will spark new ideas for better sales, marketing, product design and distribution.”
Background – Development • NEF hired Dovetail in 2010 to develop the plan • 3-year pilot program • Four locations across the United States • Mississippi, New Jersey, Oregon, Wisconsin • First running in Spring 2011 failed • UW-Stout held the first true offering
Background – Development • UW-Stout • Comprehensive, career focused polytechnic • Close proximity to major lumber industry in US • Close proximity to Dovetail Partners (Minneapolis, MN.) and NAWLA headquarters (Chicago, IL.) • First contact in Spring 2011
Goals of the Program • Overall goal: Get 15-20 students from variety of disciplines interested in career opportunities with NAWLA associated companies. • Other goals • Test viability of the program & adjust as necessary • Place students in internships • Seeking long-term results to fill management level positions
Implementation - Audience • Majors at Stout that NEF was interested in • Applied Science (STEM) • Biology (STEM) • Business • Construction (STEM) • Engineering Technology (STEM) • Manufacturing Engineering (STEM) • Packaging (STEM) • Supply Chain Management
Implementation - Timeline • Initial Contact – Spring 2011 • Develop contacts in different majors at UW-Stout – Summer 2011 • Develop curriculum and run through approval processes– Summer / Fall 2011 • Advertise to students – Fall 2011 • Solicit guest speakers – Fall 2011 • Course runs 1-week during Winterm 2012 (January) • Postings for internships – Spring 2012 • Students working internships – Summer 2012
Implementation - Curriculum • Five Units of Material • Introduction to Forestry • The Business of Lumber • Responsible Materials • Green Building • Ecosystem Markets • Field Trips • Bjornson Education – Recreation Center • Anderson Windows • Weekes Forest Products • Viking Forest Products • Silverwood Park Visitor’s Center & Bethel University • Career Panel
Implementation - Presenters • Need for expertise in areas listed, with a lumber spin on it! • UW-Stout instructor expertise • 8 faculty from 5 disciplines • NAWLA member company representatives • Topical content expertise from local representatives • Career Panel
Implementation- Presenters • With overall curriculum themes set, goal was to plug in expertise from Stout and NAWLA fill in the rest • Long term goal: Stout faculty fully instruct the course • Construction Department Chair & Program Director marketed the course across programs & departments • Provided NAWLA with list of expertise and topics
Implementation- Presenters • NAWLA finalized the schedule; determining presenter dates/times • At Stout, Winterm instructor funding is provided through Provost office; rates per credit and rank of instructor • Construction Department Chair, worked with College Budget Officer. Available funds divided amongst the faculty recruited and number of sessions instructed
Implementation- Presenters • Presenter expectations: • Half day instruction per session • Lecture/activity materials provided in advance and posted on course management system • Winterm Contracts secured/completed through “home” department- Department of Construction
Findings • Success! • Students enjoyed the course – 23 students in total • Presenters enjoyed the course • NEF and Dovetail were pleased • Career Panel was pleased • One Stout student succeeded in securing an internship • Interesting article written by one student in Stoutonia • Program will continue to run
Future Plans • Different time frame • Spring / early summer • Attract a more diverse student population • Advertising earlier and better • NAWLA to attend Stout career fair in October • Continue running in other three locations as well • Secure more internships from NAWLA companies
Best Practices • Constant Dialogue with planning team throughout • Collection of presenter materials- deadline • Pre-course meeting(s) of all presenters • Assure course content flows/presented in cohesive manner • Instructor dialogue/awareness of other presentations • Grading system • Ideal would be pass/fail based on attendance and completion; but was not an option • Instructors to provide activity and assure grading is complete and posted in timely manner • Evaluation instrument for all participants
Acknowledgments • NAWLA • Gary Vitale • Dovetail Partners • Sarah Stai, PhD, CE, LEED AP • Jim Bowyer • UW-Stout • STEM College • Numerous Presenters • Career Services office
Question and Answer • THANK YOU!