About

SWPTS

Deeply rooted in the Northwest is the American spirit and a firm belief there is a better tomorrow. But belief alone does not make it so. The impetus to take action on those dreams comes from cooperation and work of dedicated people, the knowledge of the techniques and success of others, and the commitment of financial resources to complete those plans. The Secondary Wood Products Training System (SWPTS) has embraced all of these elements and focused its energies on helping the industry and its current and future employees realize a better tomorrow through education. People and industry throughout Oregon are finding their local community college is a most adept, flexible, responsive and cost-effective partner for workforce development, including new employees meeting basic skill requirements of the industry.

As the result of a 1995 industrial needs assessment survey conducted by the Oregon Advanced Technology Consortium (OATC), Wood Products Competitiveness Corp. (now NWPA), Oregon Economic Development Department, U.S. Economic Development Administration, and U.S. Forest Service, the Secondary Wood Products Training System (SWPTS) was formed. A partnership of Oregon public and private agencies, community colleges, and the secondary wood products industry, the training system offered courses for current and potential workers in this industry.

State, regional and industry grants of $1,014,309 funded this program, which was designed to be self-sustaining by the time the funding was exhausted.  Funds were used to underwrite development of curriculum, pilot courses, evaluation and strategic planning.  Originally scheduled to "sunset" in two years, the program has continued operational until September 30, 1999.

The original Grant has been completed but new funding has been received from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, the Regional Investment Boards from Southeast, BL3 and Washington/Multnomah and the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. This new funding has enabled the program to continue and expand into more of the State. Self-sustainability, although a hoped-for-result, is probably not going to occur at the level planned for when the original Grant was funded.

Oregon's Secondary Wood Products Training System (SWPTS) is a state wide, multi-regional approach to a comprehensive training program for the 22,000 people and 800 companies employed in the secondary wood products industry.

Full implementation the Secondary Wood Products Training System has resulted in a comprehensive continuum of training from the basic to advanced technology training. This system was designed to acknowledge and integrate appropriate elements of Oregon's 21st Century school reform. Specific elements to be coordinated include School-to Work, Business-Education Partnerships, and Certificates of Advanced Mastery. The system also calls for close coordination with the state's Partnership for Quality (P4Q) and Job Training Partnership elements where appropriate.