Forgotten Forest-Related Vocational Occupation: Sawmilling and Woodhandling

Sawmilling and woodhandling occupations have had poor connotations over the years as prospective technical and vocational career choices. Socioeconomic factors and nonexistent public relations may be causes for this situation. Of those businesses surveyed and visited, 47 percent of their current work force would be classified under a saw-milling and/or woodhandling occupation category and only 6 percent of those had received formal education in such fields. This tends to substantiate the fact that saw-milling and woodhandling technical education is inadequate relative to other technical programs. The Williamsport Area Community College of Pennsylvania has taken the steps to expand an existing forest technology program with a saw-milling and woodhandling program. The college is investigating a full-time program in sawmilling and woodhandling for the fall of 1979. The program would stress such skill areas as headsawing, edging, and trimming processes, log and lumber grading, marketing and business principles, yard, storage, and kiln operations, and an array of mechanical skills that specifically pertain to the sawmill and machine operation. One full-time instructor will probably be needed with the help of one part-time assistant to provide for the program at its onset. Initially 20 students will make up a class. It is also the intent of the college to make available the facilities for seminars, continuing education, and short courses.

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