Support the Sawmill Worker Credential
The challenges of workforce shortages are real — but so is the opportunity to change course. Instead of relying on expensive, short-term fixes, sawmills across the region are beginning to invest in a smarter solution: training and credentialing the next generation of workers before they graduate high school.
Curriculums by ForestryWorks are developed to prepare workers for employment in the forest industry. The Sawmill Worker Credentialing Program includes 10 structured modules, beginning with foundational topics such as sawmill history and safety, and progressing to process-focused subjects like log processing, sawmilling, dry kilns, and planing. The curriculum also addresses general maintenance practices and emphasizes the role of quality control and performance metrics in sawmill operations. As with all ForestryWorks curriculums, specific focus is given to industry careers, and students are provided with important career pathway information and resources.
The Sawmill Worker Credentialing Program is designed to build a pipeline of safety-conscious, skills-ready, and locally invested young professionals prepared to step into entry-level roles on day one. We’re inviting industry partners to join us in supporting its continued growth and long-term impact from the classroom to the mill.
CREDENTIAL SPONSORSHIP
Prepare young professionals for the workforce. Create pathways for students in your area.
Your investment today helps build the skilled workforce your mill will need tomorrow.
INVEST IN YOUR LOCAL WORKFORCE
With your financial support, we can sponsor educators, provide classroom materials, and expand access—ensuring more students are introduced to the opportunities within our industry. For sponsors, this means a direct investment in your future workforce: students who graduate high school with interest, awareness, and foundational knowledge to step into entry-level roles. When industry members plug in, we can help forge connections between industry members and their local schools to help create meaningful pathways from education to employment.
Benefits of Local Workforce Investment:
- $5,000 a year can support 10+ students in the Sawmill Credentialing Program
- Prepares safety-aware, local hires who are more likely to stay long-term.
- Reduces onboarding time and improves cultural fit.
- Builds a stable, renewable talent pipeline year after year, yielding exponential growth over time.
- Improves community perception and support.