Next Generation of Designers and Builders Learning Innovative Wood Construction

OTTAWA, Aug. 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Investing in Canada's forest sector is an investment in the future. That is why Canada supports wood innovation, including educating the next generation of Canadian engineers and architects on the benefits of designing and building with wood.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $2.5-million investment in the Canadian Wood Council's Advanced Wood Education Roadmap to promote the benefits and opportunities associated with using wood in non-residential construction. 

This project will design and implement new Canadian post-secondary learning curricula, resources and tools, as well as work placements, which will teach students the benefits of wood, wood-hybrid and non-traditional construction.

Funding for the project is provided through Natural Resources Canada's Green Construction through Wood program, which encourages the use of wood in non-traditional construction projects, such as tall wood buildings, low-rise non-residential buildings and bridges. The program aims to position Canada as a world leader in tall wood construction technologies and the low-carbon economy.

Today's announcement will help achieve Canada's 2030 climate change goals by training future leaders in Canada's design and construction communities in effective ways of constructing sustainably with Canadian wood, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Quotes

"Canada is a world leader in forest product innovation. And our government is proud to support this initiative, which will provide the next generation of engineers and architects with the expertise and knowledge they need to continue on the path of ingenuity through wood construction, while creating jobs and helping us meet our climate change goals."

Amarjeet Sohi
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

"The wood products industry applauds the GCWood funding announcement from Natural Resources Canada in support of an education roadmap. Supporting post-secondary institutions will equip future engineers, architects, and builders with the knowledge and skillsets to design and build modern wood structures — resulting in expanded market demand for Canadian wood products, support for job growth, promotion of innovation in research and technology, and mitigation of climate change through carbon absorption and storage."

Rick Jeffery
Interim President, Canadian Wood Council

Associated Links
Canadian Wood Council
Green Construction through Wood (GCWood)
Simply Science: Back to basics – building with wood 
Think Wood

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6100, [email protected]; Vanessa Adams, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-543-7645, [email protected]