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What is the Partnership?

The AHUG Lumber, Wood, and Paper Partnership is a multi-employer collaborative effort which brings together
companies from all sectors of the PA Hardwood Industry for the purpose of improving the global competitiveness
of the industry through the continued development of the region's workforce.

Who Belongs?

Sawmills, Logging Contractors, Land Management Firms, Consulting Forestry Firms, Biomass
Energy Companies, Workforce Investment Boards, Economic Development Agencies, Education/Vocational
Technical School, Colleges, Universtities, and REsearch Facilities, Industry Related Travel/Tourism Organization,
and Secondary Wood Products Manufacturers.

Goals:

• To increase awareness of career opportunities available in wood products throughout the region.
  

• To Bring employers together for aggregate training and educational programs in order to meet workforce development goals while achieving economies of scale.

• To ensure that young people and unemployed adult workers in the labor market have the basic skills needed by industry employers.

• To serve as a conduit between industry employers and the edcation/training institutions best suited to meet their workforce development needs.

Accomplishments:

• Development of multimedia DVD profiling hardwood industry careers available throughout the region. Distribution targeted to guidance counselors, career educators, and employment agencies.

• Creation of interactive educational program entitled, "There's a Future in Our Forests", which introduces elementary students and teachers to careers available in wood products. Program has been delivered to over 3,000 students since the partnership's inception in late 2006.

• Hosted a number of programs for the industry on various topics, including human resource management, sawmill cost analysis, computer simulated log bucking, and work readiness skills training.

• Received and implemented Incumbent Worker Training grant in order to assist National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) in their efforts to bring Lumber Inspector Certification Program to PA. This level of inspector training had previously only been attainable at the NHLA school in Memphis, TN, and thus presented an immense savings opportunity to the region's hardwood employers.

Future Plans:

• Continue to promote career awareness through participation in regional career fairs, further distribution of hardwood DVD and continuation of elementary school programs hosted in conjuction with PA Woodmobile.

• Expand career awareness opportunities by working with regional Youth Councils and by continued development of exhibit booth, which can be used by Partnership employers at Job Fairs and other appropriate venues.

• Work with educational institutions to develop hardwood curriculum that meets state career education guidelines.

• Host a number of workshops for member companies designed to assist in efforts to increase competitiveness in the global marketplace. Examples include Sustainable Forestry, FSC Certification, LEED/Green Building and export opportunities, as well as, programs available through WIB's, CareerLinks, and other service providers.

• Continue to provide shared training opportunities for the region's hardwood employers on topics such as management training, basic math and computer skills, safety training, and logger training.