Holland College is pleased to announce the launch of a new Wood Manufacturing ? Cabinetmaking program, which will start in September of this year. The nine-month program is designed to provide learners with the working knowledge and skills necessary to enter the wood manufacturing and cabinetmaking industries.

Mike O'Grady, Executive Director of Programs at the college, anticipates that there will be a great deal of interest in the new program because of the shortage of skilled workers in the sector.

"The growth and success, both domestically and internationally, of Island wood manufacturing and cabinetmaking companies have created a demand for trained workers in the marketplace. Students in the program will learn the skills involved in the manufacture of cabinets, architectural millwork, and furniture," O'Grady said.

"Their training will be on state-of-the-art equipment, including most conventional equipment as well as several computer-controlled machines."

Students who complete the program, which will be located in Holland College's Aerospace Centre in Slemon Park, will be credited 1,000 hours toward their apprenticeship requirements, which in turn will lead them to the status of Red Seal licensed Cabinetmaker.

Richard Lipman, President of the nationwide Wood Manufacturing Council, is pleased to see the introduction of the program.

"The Wood Manufacturing Council congratulates Holland College on the creation of its Wood Manufacturing-Cabinetmaking program," he said.

"We look forward to promoting the program and assisting in the recruitment of students in order to increase the number of skilled graduates available to the Canadian advanced wood products processing sector."

In this picture: Members of the Advisory Board for Holland College's new Wood Manufacturing ? Cabinetmaking program (L-R) Ralph Clark, President, Ravenwood Stairways; Chad Stretch, Director of Operations, Cabinetmaster Architectural Woodwork Ltd.; Kent Sheen, Manager of the college's Industrial Trades and Technology programs; and Martinus Rose, President, Royalty Hardwoods Ltd. discuss the new program, which will start in September of this year.