What’s New

WoodLINKS CONTINUES TO GROW

High school students across the country are getting an introduction to the world of advanced wood manufacturing thanks to our program, which partners schools with industry.    The WoodLINKS Advanced Wood Manufacturing Certification program offers students a curriculum, resources, real world experience and certification to the industry standard.  The WoodLINKS vision is to develop the future generation of certified entry-level skilled graduates for the advanced wood processing industry and for related post secondary education programs.

The program is currently offered in over 65 schools across Canada, in B.C., Ontario and New Brunswick.  We are very pleased to announce that the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education has approved the WoodLINKS program as a resource to support their current programs.  The first school in the Yukon will be starting their WoodLINKS program in January 2011.  The interest in Ontario continues to expand, as a result of the initial work done in partnership with the Toronto District School Board. A significant number of schools in the Ottawa area are now on board, with growing interest from schools in Peel, Niagara and elsewhere throughout the province.  Education officials in other provinces are reviewing the WoodLINKS curriculum at present.   

If you are interested in having a WoodLINKS program in your area, please contact the WMC – we would be pleased to discuss this with you.    Yearly registration fees are $250 + tax per school. 

SUPPLIER PARTNERS STEP UP

WoodLINKS maintains a roster of suppliers offering complimentary or discounted products to WoodLINKS schools. From educational discounts on machinery to free glue or hardware, our suppliers see the value in the program and want to support WoodLINKS.  The support from both manufacturers and suppliers is vital to the success in training workers for jobs. WMC would like to thank the WoodLINKS suppliers for their continuing support of the schools, the teachers and their students.  This is an ongoing and vital part of ensuring the industry, in which we make our living, continues to recover, grow and thrive.  Properly trained workers are needed to fill positions in cabinet shops, furniture operations, millwork companies and other wood manufacturing plants across Canada.

At the heart of WoodLINKS are the partnerships that make it work. The partnership between education and industry is key. Industry needs well trained entry-level workers; students need solid career choices and job opportunities. Industry can provide the “real-world” application of what is taught in the classroom. WoodLINKS works closely with industry partners to support participating schools. Support can come in a number of ways, such as: field trips, guest speakers and co-op placements

OTTAWA BOARD BRINGS ON FAMILY OF SCHOOLS

The Ottawa Carleton District School Board recently celebrated their partnership with WMC and their participation in the WoodLINKS program, with an official program launch attended by industry and education representatives, students and media.  At the event, Robert Aucoin, Rideau High School, Custom Woodworking, WoodLINKS Teacher, indicated that “Normally the WoodLINKS program is offered to only senior students. However, with our expanded partnership with WoodLINKS, we will now be able to present that opportunity to all OCDSB secondary students who are studying wood based technology.”  Thirty-nine schools in the Ottawa Carleton District School Board have committed to starting the WoodLINKS program at their schools.  This is the first school board that has brought on such a significant number of schools in their family at one time.  An Industry Partnership Network for the full compliment of schools is currently being assembled, with some impressive local manufacturers and suppliers already on board. 

WoodLINKS AT SUMMER SCHOOL

St Mary’s Secondary School in Cobourg, Ontario offered the WoodLINKS program in Ontario’s first summer school, full credit construction program.

3
Summer Students

Through this summer credit, St. Mary’s students were exposed to the practical, hands-on side of building, providing a real-world example of what they’ve been learning in the classroom.  The students built a deck, fence and a two car garage while completing the WoodLINKS curriculum in preparation for certification testing.  The students were extremely positive when asked about their summer experience.  The strength of the program rests with the focus on providing opportunity for students to gain practical experience, qualification within the industry, and a high school credit. 

Next summer St. Mary’s would like to partner with a local college to provide the opportunity for its students to complete a dual credit course in carpentry and electrical certification.  Students will be able to achieve industry certification, a first year college course in both carpentry and electrical, and a high school credit.  The Woodlinks program offers not only an intensified look into the trades, but also gives students a step-up into their next years of education and experience - what a great partnership.  Joel Kightley, was the Construction Technology Teacher at St. Mary’s High School in Cobourg, Ontario that made this program happen.

a
Summer Students

WMC has been pleased to have had two successful pilot programs at the Stony Mountain Institution in Manitoba, including one specifically for aboriginal inmates.  Further work with CORCAN at other federal institutions is under consideration. The WMC is also examining other possibilities for WoodLINKS, including offering the program as an adult education course and as an in-house training program for wood manufacturing companies. 

NEW SUB-SECTOR MODULES UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Students participating in the WoodLINKS program are exposed to four main pathways for their careers after high school: direct to work, apprenticeship, college, and university.  The WoodLINKS Sub-sector Modules allow schools to tailor their program to match the local industry, or to their specific program. The sub-sector module is a project in one of these 8 product areas: cabinets and millwork, furniture, fine woodworking, panel products, remanufactured wood products, manufactured housing, windows and doors, entrepreneurship.  The WMC is partnering with the Forest Products Sector Council and a committee of subject matter experts to develop two new modules, for pulp and paper, as well as sawmilling. 

WoodLINKS connects industry and education with the high school curriculum, provides resources to support educators, and offers an assessment and certification process. The curriculum consists of 120 hours in each of grade 11 and 12.  Successful students are granted an industry recognized certificate that makes them eligible to start work right away in the industry or to pursue post secondary education leading to careers in the advanced wood manufacturing industry.

STAY TUNED

More good news on the WoodLINKS program will be coming to this page shortly!

THANKS

Our WoodLINKS National Project Manager Deb Purdy has recently accepted a new position in private industry.  We are sorry to lose her.  She extends her sincere goodbye to everyone – “Thank you for believing and supporting a great program and the person that truly believes in it”. 

In the interim, please address your WoodLINKS requests to R. Lipman at the Wood Manufacturing Council office at (613) 567-5511 (email  rlipman@wmc-cfb.ca).