Employers are snapping up students in UBC’s Wood Products Processing
Cooperative Education Program, evidence that the industry demand
that led to the creation of the program is a reality, the program’s
director says.
“The response we’ve had from employers has been excellent,” says
Prof. Simon Ellis. “As a new program, we’re still gaining momentum,
but there’s no question the wood products industry is ready and
waiting to put our students and, in a few years, graduates to work.”
The program was launched in 1995 after UBC was selected to develop
the program by an industry-led national education initiative. The
program’s first students are now in the third year of the five-year
program.
“I made the right decision,” says Rahim Lavji, a third-year student
who started an eight-month co-op job, his second, in January. “I
really like what I’m doing and can see myself doing this sort of
work in the future.”
Lavji, who’s working for the Pine Falls Furniture Co., a Maple
Ridge manufacturer of pine furniture, is one of nine students working
at co-op jobs this semester. Employers this semester range from
Canadian Forest Product’s research and development centre in Vancouver,
to Loewen Windows in Steinbach, Man.
Pine Falls General Manager Trevor Sandwell says the specialized
knowledge that students are gaining in the Wood Products Processing
Program is important to ensure the Canadian industry can compete
internationally.
Students in the program spend a total of 19 months in work placements
and a month gaining practical woodworking experience. The academic
portion of the program includes courses in wood science, engineering
and commerce. Members of the industry continue to play an important
role in shaping the program.
“Industry is still instrumental in helping us deliver the program,”
says Ellis. “Professionals from industry are frequent guest lecturers.
That will continue into the future, allowing us to maintain a high
degree of industrial relevancy.”
Christine Forget, cooperative education co-ordinator for the program,
says that with word of the program spreading throughout the industry,
the demand for students is increasing.
“I often have companies calling me to see if they can get a student
to work for them. Last semester we had jobs left unfilled,” says
Forget, who also approaches companies she feels could benefit from
hiring a co-op student or for which one of the program’s students
has expressed an interest in working.
The prospect of work upon completion of the program remains an
important draw, Ellis says. And the wood products industry is proving
its commitment.
“We’re looking to the program to supply us with management personnel
in years to come,” says Sandwell. “It’s absolutely critical that
we’re able to develop our people to meet the global challenge. We
have to do it.”
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