The 21st Century
Forest Industry
Workforce
Scott Weatherford
June 19, 2017
Building a 21st Century Workforce
Learning Summit
Who is ATCO Wood Products?
 Local Wood Products
Manufacturing and Forest
Management Company
 Own & Operate The Nelson & Ft.
Sheppard Railway Co.
 Long and Vibrant History in Wood
Products & Forestry
 Family Owned, 3rd Generation
Value Driven Business
 Manufacturing Plant and Offices
located in Fruitvale, BC
 Forestry Operations Throughout
the Trail, Nelson, Rossland,
Castlegar, Salmo, Fruitvale areas
 Responsible for 100+ Direct Jobs
in our Region
BC Forest Industry in 2017
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Key Drivers
Strong demand for Wood Products
Global Competition
Trade Disputes
Reduced access to Timber
Technology Advancements
Increasing Regulations
New Products/Markets
The BC Forest Industry in 2017 is a highly efficient, state of the
art, integrated forest management and manufacturing industry
operating in an increasingly complex environment
The Workforce We Need
• Skills
• Culture
• Drive
What is ATCO Doing?
1) Engaging with local youth & schools
2) Creating opportunities for our employees’
initiative to take them somewhere
3) Building a culture where our employees are
engaged in the success of the business
Creating an organization where our employees are
excited to come to work; where they are having
rewarding, fulfilling careers; where they can be part of
a something bigger than themselves
Closing the Gaps
Smart
Hungry
Humble
• Ensure everyone has basic skills
• Need wide variety of opportunities for people to
acquire and use skills at all career stages
• Employers need to encourage skill development
• Create focus for applying skills (problem solving &
analytical skills), not just learning skills
• Create excitement about career opportunities and
highlight the doors that can open
• Promote opportunities in the regional market and
in the resource sector as available pathways for
people to realize their dreams
• Develop team players
• Train on organizational culture
• Promote the importance of teamwork and the role
that everyone plays in building the team
Thank you.