There is the potential for increased employment in the resource extraction field. This is not just a function of economics, because the jobs in woodlands are relatively well paid. Increased concentration of mill ownership in the region has an impact on the training function. Spruce Falls Inc. Larger companies which responded to the survey tend to have greater resources for training, and a greater recognition of the importance of training to achieve production goals. As well, training in corporate culture has increased since the initial survey.
Companies wish to be in charge of their own training process.
While there is a role for funding agencies and public-sector training providers, the nature of the industry dictates that the specific skills required for one mill can not easily be applied to another mill. Even though there are training needs for skilled trades, the industry is not suffering from a shortage of workers. Retirement does not seem to be a major factor for the industry. However, it should be noted that many respondents had difficulty providing an accurate figure for this question. The following are results on a question by question basis from the update of the Forest Products Industry Survey.