Devon Patterson, left, the student who designed the WoodLINKS award, presents the award to Laurelyn Nielsen. (Photo: Contributed)
The Bluewater Wood Alliance was presented with a special HR Award at this year’s Wood Manufacturing Council Awards Banquet in Ottawa.
Every year, the Wood Manufacturing Council gives out awards to recognize exemplary activities in the area of human resources development. This one was presented to the Bluewater Wood Alliance in recognition of the work done to promote the establishment of the WoodLINKS program in two high schools in the Bluewater District School Board.
WoodLINKS is a two-year program that teaches the fundamentals of industrial woodworking to students who are interested in pursuing a career in the wood products manufacturing industry. It is currently being taught at the BDSB high schools in Chesley and Kincardine. The award was presented to Laurelyn Nielsen, who is the human resources manager at B&G Furniture in Walkerton, Ont., who represented the BWA.
The Alliance, in its first year and a half of existence, has developed from a study paper, recommending the cluster concept to help struggling manufacturers in Southwestern Ontario, to a thriving cluster of 38 manufacturing and supplier members. This latest award confirms that the concept of working together for the good of the group is an effective way to leverage support that will help each of the members. By training woodworkers in local high schools, the Bluewater District School Board is instilling needed skills in the next generation of workers at the plants in the region. In return, member companies are supporting the schools with promises of summer jobs, practical training and needed supplies for the shops.
