Michael Bowman, CPC, PE, LEED Green Associate

Glendali Rodriguez, AIA, NCARB

OutlineBackground- Partners & filling a need

Goals of the program

Implementation

Findings

Future plans

Best Practices

Background – PartnersNorth American Wholesale Lumber

Association (NAWLA)Trade Association – over 650 businesses in

North AmericaNAWLA Education Foundation (NEF)

“…solely dedicated to educating, inspiring, and planting a new generation of leaders throughout our industry.”

Background – PartnersDovetail Partners, INC.

Nonprofit organization hired as a consultant by NEF to develop the program.

University of Wisconsin - StoutA comprehensive, career focused

polytechnic University.

Background – The NeedTraditional lumber association management

Degree in ForestryWork up through lumber tradeBusiness background outside of lumberFuture 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 – DevelopmentNEF hired Dovetail in 2010 to develop the

plan3-year pilot programFour locations across the United States

Mississippi, New Jersey, Oregon, Wisconsin

First running in Spring 2011 failedUW-Stout held the first true offering

Background – DevelopmentUW-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 ProgramOverall 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 internshipsSeeking long-term results to fill

management level positions

Implementation - AudienceMajors at Stout that NEF was interested in

Applied Science (STEM)Biology (STEM)BusinessConstruction (STEM)Engineering Technology (STEM)Manufacturing Engineering (STEM)Packaging (STEM)Supply Chain Management

Implementation - TimelineInitial Contact – Spring 2011Develop contacts in different majors at UW-Stout

– Summer 2011Develop curriculum and run through approval

processes – Summer / Fall 2011Advertise to students – Fall 2011Solicit guest speakers – Fall 2011Course runs 1-week during Winterm 2012

(January)Postings for internships – Spring 2012Students 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 - PresentersNeed for expertise in areas listed, with a

lumber spin on it!UW-Stout instructor expertise

8 faculty from 5 disciplinesNAWLA member company representativesTopical content expertise from local

representativesCareer Panel

Implementation- PresentersWith 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- PresentersNAWLA 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- PresentersPresenter expectations:

Half day instruction per sessionLecture/activity materials provided in advance

and posted on course management system

Winterm Contracts secured/completed through “home” department- Department of Construction

FindingsSuccess!

Students enjoyed the course – 23 students in total

Presenters enjoyed the courseNEF and Dovetail were pleasedCareer Panel was pleasedOne Stout student succeeded in securing an

internshipInteresting article written by one student in

StoutoniaProgram will continue to run

Future PlansDifferent time frame

Spring / early summerAttract a more diverse student population

Advertising earlier and betterNAWLA to attend Stout career fair in

OctoberContinue running in other three locations as

wellSecure more internships from NAWLA

companies

Best PracticesConstant Dialogue with planning team throughoutCollection of presenter materials- deadlinePre-course meeting(s) of all presenters

Assure course content flows/presented in cohesive mannerInstructor dialogue/awareness of other presentations

Grading systemIdeal would be pass/fail based on attendance and

completion; but was not an optionInstructors to provide activity and assure grading is

complete and posted in timely mannerEvaluation instrument for all participants

AcknowledgmentsNAWLA

Gary VitaleDovetail Partners

Sarah Stai, PhD, CE, LEED APJim Bowyer

UW-StoutSTEM CollegeNumerous PresentersCareer Services office

Question and Answer

THANK YOU!