March 27, 2008

National Hardwood Lumber Inspection Training School Offered This Summer through Clarion University-Venango Campus

OIL CITY, PA- For the first time in its sixty-year history of educating lumber inspectors throughout the world, the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, will offer the NHLA Lumber Inspection Training School off-site, thanks to the success of its five-year partnership with Clarion University-Venango Campus. Clarion University is the only university in the country to offer college credit for the NHLA program, awarding credits toward an associate degree through the university's Department of Applied Technology.

In cooperation with Clarion University-Venango Campus, Keystone Community Education Council (KCEC), and the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group (AHUG), NHLA will offer the Lumber Inspection Training School at the Venango Technology Center in Oil City this summer from June 2 through August 8.

Students who wish to earn Clarion University's Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Technology degree will be able to transfer as many as 22 credits toward the 60 credits required for the associate degree by successfully completing the NHLA Lumber Inspection Training School curriculum. The balance of the coursework consists of general education and business courses that can be completed at the Venango Campus and/or online.

To register for the NHLA Lumber Inspection Training School, contact Keystone Community Education Council at 814-677-4427.

The National Hardwood Lumber Association is a nonprofit association composed of more than 1,600 member firms that produce, sell, and use hardwood lumber or provide services to the hardwood industry. The association was founded in 1898 to establish a uniform system of grading rules for the measurement and inspection of hardwood lumber and still serves as the administrator of those standards.

The high value of hardwood lumber dictates that boards are graded each time that they are bought or sold within the hardwood industry on the way from the sawmill to their final use in furniture, flooring, or paneling. Hardwood lumber inspectors are responsible for determining the species, grade, and volume of each piece of lumber, and are employed by sawmills, dry kiln operators, wholesale lumber distributors, manufacturing plants, exporters, importers, and other types of firms that utilize hardwood lumber.

In 1948, NHLA established its training school in Memphis to teach these rules and the application of the grading system to help meet an increasing demand for skilled lumber inspectors throughout the world. To this day, the NLHA Lumber Inspection Training School in Memphis is the only school of its kind in the world and has attracted students from Canada, Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, as well as the United States. More than 6,700 students have graduated from the Inspection Program, many of whom are now in management or ownership positions in the industry and are sending their children or employees to complete the course.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for those interested in a career in hardwood lumber inspection," said Dr. Christopher Reber, executive dean of the Venango Campus. "Since more than 100 of the 1,600 world-wide members of NHLA are located in the region served by Clarion University-Venango Campus, offering a program that prepares hardwood lumber inspectors to move into management and ownership positions supports the campus' mission to contribute to the area's workforce development."

Clarion University's Department of Applied Technology was launched in 2003 in response to a critical need for high-quality technical education in the region and beyond, and utilizes a creative partnership approach designed to prepare students for a career path leading to a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions. Under this unique model, students complete general education and business courses at Clarion University-Venango Campus and the technical component of the degree through licensed, certified, accredited and/or otherwise approved technical education providers.

Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial or Administration Technology degree from Clarion University.

There are 25 concentrations of study in the industrial technology degree program, including lumber grading, electric utility technology, precision machining, advanced computer applications, electromechanical technology, and several building trades.

Concentrations in the administration technology degree program include insurance, banking, and office technology.

Housing is available at the Venango Campus student apartment complex. Each apartment is furnished and includes a fully-equipped kitchen, utilities, high-speed Internet, air-conditioning and laundry facilities. For more information, contact Emily Aubele at 814-676-6591, extension 1269.

Clarion University(Venango Campus, located in Oil City, is the oldest regional campus in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. The campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed. Students can begin any of Clarion University's 90+ bachelor's degrees at the Venango Campus, earn an associate degree, a bachelor's or master's degree in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses. The campus is home to Clarion University's School of Nursing and Allied Health and its Department of Applied Technology. Clarion University(Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community.