Training & Retaining Employees

Investing in continuing education can be a powerful way to communicate to your existing employees their value to your organization, as well as improve their existing skills.

• Provide your staff with the opportunity to acquire certifications that will help improve your overall plant operations through programs like Truck, Forklift and Combustible Dust Housekeeping. 
• Find innovative ways to continuously educate and engage workers of all types.
• Build the capacity for employees to grow and move within your company.
• Make education, job sharing, and other opportunities available to help them move up the ladder.
• Develop succession plans and pass on the know-how to new employees through mentoring.

SBCA has worked with several CMs over the years to develop training programs specific to industry. The most prominent training programs include: 

• Truss Manufacturing Orientation: Helps new employees with little or no truss industry experience learn the basics of component manufacturing  
• In Plant Basic Training: Provides fundamental information and procedures to new production employees.  
• Truss Technician Training Levels 1, 2, and 3: Delivers top-notch training on wood design and engineering fundamentals for truss technicians. 
• TRUCK Program: Provides drivers with a good foundation and awareness of the unique challenges in delivering this industry’s products.

Explore SBCA Training Programs

Workforce Development Tools

• Visit SBCA’s Best Way to Frame website, which strives to reach students, educators, and others in your community who may benefit from learning more the components industry. 
• Video: Structural Building Components Industry: A Place for You, A Place that Matters
• 
  To help CMs assess technical staff, SBCA developed the Technical Assessment Test Online (TATO). These interactive 50-question tests measure candidates’ technical aptitude and skills required to succeed in truss and engineered wood products design. 
• SBCA’s LinkedIn page is providing general information to prospective candidates who may not otherwise learn about the SBC industry. You can create your own company page as well as following the SBCA page to help you make more connections and find interested prospects. 
• Participate in an industry-specific Wage and Benefit Survey to stay up with current industry wages and benefits. SBCA CM members who participate in the survey receive the results at no charge.