Business of Sawmilling, Associate Certificate

Program Overview

The Business of Sawmilling Associate Certificate program equips individuals in the industrial wood processing sector with essential business skills. Delivered online over 12 months, the program features case-based learning and industry expert instruction. Graduates are prepared for supervisory roles, enhancing their career prospects and contributing to organizational success.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Program Content: The Business of Sawmilling Associate Certificate program focuses on essential business skills for individuals employed in the industrial wood processing sector, enabling them to pursue career advancement or greater opportunities as supervisors within their organizations.
• Structure: The program is designed for a cohort of up to 24 students to be completed over a 12-month period.
The curriculum incorporates case-based and problem-based learning delivered by lumber industry and business experts, simulating real-world challenges to foster meaningful and creative application of knowledge.
• Course Schedule: The program courses are delivered sequentially and include:
• ECON 1610: Lumber Industry Economics
• FMGT 1660: Finance Fundamentals for Sawmill Managers
• WOOD 2610: Process Reliability and Optimization for the Lumber Industry
• WOOD 2620: Fundamentals of Sawmill Residuals
• MKTG 2760: Lumber Sales and Marketing
• Course Descriptions:
• ECON 1610: Lumber Industry Economics
examines financial success factors in sawmilling, addressing supply and demand impacts, commodity treatment, risk reduction strategies, costs, performance indicators, capital investment criteria, and by-product significance.
• FMGT 1660: Finance Fundamentals for Sawmill Managers emphasizes accounting and finance principles to enhance decision-making, covering financial record-keeping, communication, and analysis, enabling justification of initiatives, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
• WOOD 2610: Process Reliability and Optimization for the Lumber Industry explores maintenance, reliability, and optimization techniques to maintain or improve machine performance, addressing maintenance KPIs, optimizers, HMIs and PLCs, simulation analysis, and machine-centered performance impact.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program is delivered fully online through BCIT's learning management system, allowing students to learn while continuing their employment without geographical restrictions.
• Faculty: Industry and business experts deliver the course content, providing practical insights and real-world experience.
• Unique Approaches: The program utilizes case-based and problem-based learning, simulating industry challenges to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of concepts.

Careers:

• Career Paths: The program prepares participants for advancement to supervisory roles within the North American lumber sector, including positions such as Supervisor, Production Manager, or Operations Manager.
• Opportunities: Graduates can expect to enhance their career prospects, gain recognition for their expertise, and contribute to the success of their organizations.