As Canfor Southern Pine expands its operations in the southern United States, we will need more skilled workers – and we’re certainly not alone. We’re part of a manufacturing sector with constantly growing, and changing, workforce needs.
The Horry Georgetwon Technical College opened last month and has a classroom that bears the Canfor name.
That’s why we are pleased to help two technical schools in our operating communities -- South Arkansas Community College (SouthArk) and Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) – expand their training facilities.
In El Dorado, AR, we donated $25,000 for SouthArk’s new Charles A. Hays Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. When it opens next spring, the center will provide training space for a number of key trades and host programs that will provide the key skills required for many roles Canfor employs including: PLC/Industrial Electricians and Maintenance Technicians. SouthArk President Dr. Barbara Jones put it well when she said that “workforce development needs drove this project.”
In Conway, SC, we provided $10,000 for HGTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, a state-of-the-art facility that was also built in response to industry requirements, responding to a need for skilled trades such as machinists and welders. It opened last month and includes a Canfor Southern Pine classroom. HGTC will open a second Advanced Manufacturing Center in Georgetown in 2019.
These are important investments – they not only provide us with skilled workers but they also help the communities where we operate compete with larger centers.
Canfor has a wealth of opportunities in both the US and Canada for the skilled trades workforce. Click below to see our current openings: