
Since its launch in 2018, the Associate Certificate in Industrial Wood Processing (IWP) has grown into a leading workforce development program in the forestry sector. Developed by the School of Construction and the Environment (SoCE) at BCIT in partnership with four leading North American lumber companies, the program was designed to meet a clear industry need: practical, flexible technical training that fits the realities of mill operations. Designed for employees working directly in wood products manufacturing, IWP focuses on the fundamentals that matter on the mill floor: helping new hires, experienced operators, and emerging supervisors build a strong understanding of how sawmills operate and how production decisions impact quality, efficiency, and safety. The IWP Program was shaped by industry input. Program development was led by Canfor, Tolko, West Fraser and Interfor, and has since grown to have over 34 companies sponsor employees, using it as part of onboarding, upskilling, and succession planning.