In 1948, NHLA “borrowed” a one room garage area from Nicky Brothers Lumber Company to house the first class of the NHLA Inspector Training School. At that time, no one could know that history was being made. The first class graduated 46 NHLA students, most of whom were veterans returning from World War II in pursuit of a career that would support their families. The next year, the first permanent classroom was built on donated land. At that time, classes were five months in length and often included 40 plus students.
My how times have changed.
As the years progressed, the industry changed, School attendance became smaller, learning strategies evolved dramatically, and it became more costly to send students to the School for a prolonged length of time. Chief Dana Spessert, ITS Instructor Roman Matyushchenko and the NHLA Inspector Training School Committee have been working on creating a new approach to make the School more accessible, effective, and affordable. Included in the plan is the adaptation of the delivery of the ITS curriculum to accommodate the learning styles of a new generation of students.
For example, we have introduced virtual learning in the classroom thanks to the generosity of the Inspector Training School Educational Foundation (ITSEF). The electronic whiteboard donated by ITSEF allows educators from all over the industry to conduct seminars on topics of importance streamed directly into the ITS classroom. We are also thankful to ITSEF for playing a key role in obtaining new lumber for training and board run testing.
We learned from member surveys and from one-on-one feedback that the cost of attending the School has become too high for many members. After a great deal of research and additional conversations with industry leaders, NHLA held a beta test over the summer to determine the effectiveness of a modified curriculum and seven-week time period class. We learned a great deal from the experience. Most importantly, class graduates achieved grade point averages on par with our “traditional” 12-week program.
After careful deliberation, the decision was made to keep to the shorter format, but to extend the class to eight weeks. Much of the curriculum was influenced by the member survey results. Our first eight-week class will begin on January 5, 2021. Students will continue to memorize all of the definitions, general instructions, and standard grades. And while the requirement to memorize species exceptions will be relaxed, students will be required to pass proficiency tests. School hours have also been increased to allow students to receive a higher number of classroom hours.
Prior to the new eight-week class, students would spend approximately a month memorizing the Rules during class time. In the new format, they study on their own, in the evenings and on weekends. This new approach leaves more classroom time for hands-on training, lectures on a mix of new and different aspects of the industry such as safety, lumber stacking, supervisory skills, and transitioning to an inspector position. The new curriculum also includes virtual classes on Species ID and kiln drying by renowned professor Adam Taylor. Classes on upgrading lumber and stacking lumber will also be included.
Students are also required to complete multiple Board Runs beginning earlier in the program. This hands-on “applied learning” approach is more in keeping with modern educational strategies. They will also practice and be tested on a green chain to duplicate real world work environments.
While the school’s curriculum may change with the times, NHLA will never waver in its commitment to fill the critical need for NHLA trained lumber inspectors. Please consider sending an employee to NHLA’s first eight-week class in its history. The new eight-week class starts on January 5, 2021, so be sure to call Carol Mcelya, ITS Administrator at 901-399-7563, or visit nhla.com to learn more.
Just one more example of how NHLA is evolving to meet your needs.
