Hillman & Roscommon Lumber Grading Short Courses Deemed A Success
Two 5-Day Lumber Grader Short Courses recently wrapped up in Hillman and Roscommon. The popular courses had a total of 27 participants, giving a variety of area lumber workers (yardmen, sawyers, edgermen, sales/ office staff, and management level personnel) an introduction to lumber inspection. Attendees reported that the training was very beneficial. While some said it was challenging, the Hillman instructor mentioned that his group of trainees were one of the best groups he had ever had. Participants received a Certificate of Course Completion.
The lack of certified lumber graders in Michigan has been a major concern for wood product manufacturers, as they cannot find the necessary skilled labor in the current labor pool. To help meet this skills gap, these two 5-day short courses were sponsored by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG), Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium (MWNEMC), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
Founded in 1898 with the purpose of creating a uniform set of grading rules, the NHLA seeks to offer several opportunities both domestically and internationally for instruction of the basics of the NHLA grading system. Well-trained employees help provide a more carefully manufactured product, a more profitable yield from the log, and a better sense of the value of the lumber being handled. The lumber grading short course plays a vital role in the industry benefiting anyone who has an impact on the buying or selling of hardwood lumber.
A 4-Day Lumber Grader Short Course is scheduled in the Upper Peninsula, December 1 – 4 in Menominee. If you are interested in this training, contact Nickie Lauerman at (906) 789-0558 Ext. 237 or nlauerman@jobforce.org.
