Hardwood Lumber Grading Short Course Program Evaluation

Interest in adapting existing or new knowledge throughout the forest products industries continues to expand. Hardwood lumber grading short courses are a well established method of transferring knowledge but little information (other than attendance counts) on the effectiveness of these or similar programs is available. In this paper we present the results of a program evaluation by both employees and employers for a series of hardwood lumber grading programs which was initiated in the mid-1940’s, and continues to the present day. The evaluation showed that the job performance of nearly all individuals was improved and job responsibilities of 61 percent of the employees attending the short course were increased. Substantial percentages of employees indicated that attendance at a lumber grading short course would not increase salary or help them advance within the company. Management, however, felt that the employees would generally benefit. Seventy percent of the management felt that the addition of other subject material and a separate program on production, marketing, and use would be helpful. Employees felt that information on wood identification should also be included. The evaluation also showed that 83 percent of the individuals attending lumber grading short courses remained employed by the wood-processing industry. Management indicated that only 22 percent of employees attending lumber grading short courses were ever able to attend additional programs. Therefore, it appears that hardwood lumber grading short courses are effective in transferring information about grades and can be used to transfer information on other aspects of hardwood lumber processing to a clientele not likely to attend future educational programs.

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