Course Teaches Structural Lumber Grading for Hardwoods
Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.
Hardwood cross-laminated timber is nearing approval for use in buildings and Appalachian Hardwood sawmills and distributors can learn the basics about the grading rules at a workshop Oct. 12 at Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) in Clifton Forge, VA. The LUMBER GRADING session is designed for graders and potential graders as an introduction to structural grading rules and the application to hardwoods.
All lumber used in building materials must be graded to the standards and stamped accordingly. It is required for hardwoods used in cross-laminated timber and other building applications.
The course begins Oct. 12 at 9am with a presentation and includes hands-on instruction. It ends with lunch. Registration is $45 but half will be re-imbursed for existing industry workers through the Appalachian Hardwood Training institute grant.
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A second workshop, Hardwood LOG Grading Guidelines, is offered concurrently on Oct. 12 for log graders, potential graders, loggers and landowners. It will be held at MGCC and Blue Ridge Lumber in Covington, VA.
The course will explain the log grading guidelines published by AHMI in 2020. It details US Forest Service rules and updates with current practices for a better understanding of grades. It concludes with lunch. Registration is $45 but half will be re-imbursed for existing industry workers through the Appalachian Hardwood Training Institute grant.
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The Appalachian Hardwood Training Institute will have presentations on the training initiative at MGCC, Glenville State University in West Virginia and Big Sandy Community College in Kentucky the day before on Oct. 11 at the MGCC campus. The presentations are designed for sawmill, yard, and secondary manufacturing production management and human resource staff.
Participants will learn about courses offered this fall and winter at the colleges and plans for 2023. You will have the opportunity to tour the MGCC facilities and speak with students.
There is a reception, dinner and presentation on Oct. 11 at 5:30 pm at the host hotel, Hampton Inn Col Alto in Lexington, VA. The speaker is Morgan Romeo, executive director of Western Virginia Workforce Development, a public-private partnership dedicated to achieving regional workforce and economic development goals. She will share workforce initiatives in the Appalachian region of Virginia.
Room reservations should be made by Sept. 30 at the Hampton Inn Col Alto Historic Lexington,
401 East Nelson St., Lexington, VA at 540-463-2223 or by following this link.
Use Special Rate/Group Code APH or Appalachian Hardwood.
REGISTER HERE for the Training Tour, reception, dinner and Workshops.
For more information and to view the full agenda visit www.appalachianhardwood.org/meetings or call AHMI at (336) 885-8315.