According to a study released by the PEI Association of Wood Products Manufacturers (PEIAWPM), the lack of training facilities for a skilled workforce is a barrier to the growth potential of the Island's value-added wood products industry. The report was based on the findings from wide ranging consultations with the Island's value-added wood products industry and contains a number of recommendations designed to increase the role of wood products in the Island economy.
There are currently 60 Island companies employing more than 400 people making high quality wood-based products ranging from cabinets, log homes and prefab structures, indoor and outdoor furniture, mouldings, flooring, doors, windows and many other products. In 1999, this industry contributed some $8.3 million dollars in wages and salaries to the Island's economy and created revenue estimates of $38 million.
"The development of new and expanded business for value-added wood products will increase economic and employment opportunities, especially in rural communities," said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy. "In addition, improved utilization of harvested timber will help achieve our goal to sustainably manage forest resources."
While the wood products industry is a healthy and vibrant part of the Island's economy, there was general feeling within the industry that the lack of a skilled labour force was holding the sector's ability to grow and respond to market demands for wood products. However there were no hard figures to back up this feeling, so the industry approached Human Resources Development Canada, who allocated $20,000 through the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement for a comprehensive study. McIsaac, Younker, Roche, and Soloman were hired as consultants to examine the issues and make recommendations regarding future labour needs, growth potential, and skills training for the Island's value-added wood products industry.
"The study indicates that most Island wood products firms are positive about their ability to grow over the next few years. This is good news for the Island economy," said Allison Coles, President of PEIAWPM. "However, this good news is tempered by the fact that, in order to expand, the industry needs more skilled labour, and presently there are no programs or facilities on Prince Edward Island suited to our labour training needs."
The report recommends that Holland College cooperate with industry to initiate a new training program designed to meet this growing need. As well, customized programs could be implemented to meet the needs of specialty wood products producers. There is also a need to promote the industry to young people entering the workforce to make them aware of the employment potential and job skills required for wood products manufacturing.
"Holland College has always taken an active approach to meeting the training needs of industry," said Brian McMillan, Holland College's Executive Director of Program Operations. "We are interested in this study and willing to work with industry to help them meet their skilled labour requirements."