College of Wood Technology Bad Wildungen (Germany)

Education and training at all operational levels is becoming increasingly more important. The internationalisation of markets at ever shortening time intervals is causing a rapid advance in technology requiring employees at all levels to have a sound basic education and comprehensive training. While this is important for entrepreneurs, it is very much the best in meeting the needs of employees, who by taking these measures may ultimately be saving their own jobs. Investing in "human capital" through employee education, leads to a higher level of employee motivation, higher quality work and thus increased profits. The College of Wood Technology (Holzfachschule) Bad Wildungen offers this education for the timber industry with a very comprehensive range of training. The training programm includes all levels of the famous German vocational training system (Read article: Vocational training for the woodworking industry – German experiences and Indian perspectives. Published in Wood News 20 (6), 10-16 (2011)):

1. The schooling part of vocational training for wood processing mechanics
2. Special courses for joiner apprentices
3. Master courses for joiners and wood processing mechanics
4. Two year courses for wood industry technicians

From a local saw-mill school ...

It all began in 1939 with the inauguration of the “Berufserziehungsstätte Sägewerke e.V. Berleburg". This private school was founded by an organisation of the sawmill industry in order to provide vocational training for the appren­tices of sawmills. In 195,3 the school was relocated to the town of Bad Wildungen because there was more space for extension and a better transport connec­tion. A saw-mill was installed and is still an important piece of technical equipment.

A few years later, workshops for joiner courses were attached and the education of timber traders was started. In addition, since 1972 corporate and master courses for the model building branch have been offered.

... to a national competence center ...

Today there are a number of workshops equipped with all the necessary machines for a modern joinery.

During the last decades, the school was developed further and became an accre­dited competence center for the entire wood processing and wood-working branch. The teaching staff consists of experts with a long experience in the industry. Many of them regularly provide consulting services to different companies and thereby are always informed about the needs and latest development in the branch. On May 13, 2011, the Holzfachschule was honoured by the KOMZET-certificate handed over by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology for its excellent competence center ZHEUS.

... with an international impact.

Some staff members have been imparting their know­ledge even abroad (Indonesia, Kosovo, Egypt, Rwanda) as consultants or teachers. At the LIGNA 2011 the College of Wood Technology presented its offers to an international audience - according to the LIGNA slogan "Making more out of wood: innovative, efficient, trendsetting." Because to become successful in this regard, not is only modern technology needed, but also well trained employees. Accordingly, Dr. Ernst Kürsten welcomed a number of foreign visitors (see picture) from India, Iran, Vietnam, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, U.S., Australia, Kenya, Ethopia, Cameroon, Greece, and other countries.

Have a look at our course offerings if you feel the need for training of your employees. See our facilities, and make use of the regularly extended information section which is providing selected and commented links to technical and marketing knowledge regarding wood!