The Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association (MLMA) partnered with ForestryWorks® to host an Ambassador Training in Oxford, aimed at equipping industry leaders with tools to engage students and promote careers in the forest products sector. Industry professionals from across the state representing MLMA and the Mississippi Forestry Association were in attendance.

Led by MLMA Executive Director, Ellery Jones, the February event featured a panel discussion including workforce experts from Southwest Mississippi Community College. Panelists shared insights into how industrial maintenance programs support mill operations and offered strategies for recruiting students into the industry.

Throughout the day, training from Maggie Pope and Kara Foreman of ForestryWorks encouraged participants to engage with the next generation of workforce leaders. Attendees explored ways to connect with students in classrooms and at career fairs, learned how to address common student questions, and were introduced to interactive tools like the “Reality Check” activity to highlight real-world career planning.

The session also provided insight into effective participation in career fairs and expos, covering booth setup, return on investment, and the use of custom career cards to showcase opportunities within the industry. The training concluded with a review of available outreach resources including activity outlines and materials, job shadow waivers, and customizable career kits to help ambassadors build stronger, more informed relationships with students and job seekers.

Through continued collaboration, Mississippi’s forest industry leaders are building on their commitment to workforce development, growing their impact as they continue to inspire, educate, and connect with the next generation of forest industry professionals.