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)NAWLA Trade Association – over 650 businesses in North America NAWLA Education Foundation (NEF)NEF “…solely dedicated to educating, inspiring, and planting a new generation of leaders throughout our industry.”

Background – Partners Dovetail Partners, INC. 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 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 StoutoniaStoutonia 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!