Cariboo Wood Innovation Training Hub

First steps toward a Cariboo Wood Innovation Training Hub (CWITH) are underway in 2024 to help advance local value-added wood manufacturing in the Cariboo.

The concept for a wood innovation training hub emerged from several years of discussions among leaders in forestry, education and value-added wood industries. Their common interest is to bridge the gap between traditional wood production and higher quality, value-added and sustainable opportunities. The hub will help support labour force development as well as collaborative, regional action to diversify the local forest economy.

The Cariboo region, and within it the City of Williams Lake, are uniquely positioned to capitalize on wood innovation. In place are experienced timber and log home builders, educational institutions (Thompson Rivers University, WL Campus, UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest, Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre (CCATEC) and First Nations communities active in pursuing value-added wood manufacturing.

It’s an ideal area for a training centre on advanced wood innovation, craftsmanship, manufacturing and building.

Initial work for the training hub is supported by a  grant from Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure – Forest Impact Transition Fund  (REDIP FIT)  with project partners City of Williams Lake, the Cariboo Regional District and the UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest.

The Fraser Basin Council is providing administrative and facilitation support to move the project forward.  An RFP process was launched in spring 2024 to secure a contractor as Project Lead for a two-year period.

Once in place, the Project Lead will undertake the following:

• Coordinate project planning and process design
• Lead Indigenous engagement
• Lead stakeholder and community engagement
• Provide mentorship to an Indigenous project management trainee
• Reinstitute an Advisory Committee
• Compile research data and provide a written report
• Develop sustainable strategic plan and structure for CWITH
• Launch a workshop series
• Trial a value-added wood project/training opportunity

Watch for updates! For more information, please contact:

Bettina Johnson, Program Lead, Interior Regional Programs
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