BUILDING OUR FUTURE

Sustainability And Success Can Go Hand In Hand

Wow, what a great start to our building season! It is amazing to see our members continue to grow and thrive in their communities, while we continue to make a lasting impact in them. I am very excited about this issue as well as a new initiative the WRLA is currently undertaking.

The Lumber and Building Materials Industry continues to be an important part of our economy and has a long history of providing great jobs and economic security for many communities across the country. As the industry continues to evolve and respond to changing consumer preferences, it is important to consider sustainability, while ensuring we have a strong future through employment and recruiting.

Sustainability has become an increasingly important consideration for the Lumber and Building Materials Industry. As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of construction and renovation projects, they are looking for sustainable options. To meet this demand, many of our members are turning to renewable sources of materials such as recycled wood, plastic, metals and other sustainable materials. Additionally, many of our members are investing in green technologies to reduce waste and energy consumption.

Another avenue to ensure sustainability, that the Lumber and Building Materials Industry also faces challenges with, is employment. To ensure the industry can continue to meet consumer demand, it is important to attract and retain skilled workers. To do this many companies are investing in training and apprenticeship programs to help develop the skills of current and potential employees. Additionally, many companies are also increasing their efforts to recruit and hire from a diverse pool of candidates.

Recruiting for the Lumber and Building Materials Industry is an important part of ensuring the industry’s future success. To attract qualified and motivated individuals, many companies are utilizing digital recruitment techniques such as social media, job boards, and employer branding to reach potential candidates. Also, many companies are utilizing industryspecific job fairs to target qualified applicants. By creating a comprehensive recruitment strategy, lumber and building materials companies can ensure they are able to attract the best and brightest individuals to their industry. With that, the WRLA wants to play a part, and has engaged with industry and other key stakeholders to create a new campaign to attract top talent into all areas of our sector.

Over the coming days, weeks, and months you will see the WRLA’s “Let’s Go Build” Campaign, which is a new initiative to help people connect and engage within the Lumber and Building Materials Industry. So please keep your eyes peeled to see this great campaign in action, and please reach out to the team at the WRLA to find out more on how you can get involved.

Lastly, in order to ensure the continued success of our industry, it is important for companies in the industry to consider vital factors like sustainability, employment and recruiting. By investing in sustainable materials, while continuing to train and develop team members, and ensuring comprehensive recruitment strategies, the industry can ensure its long-term success for years to come.

Have a great summer, and I look forward to connecting with you at all the upcoming WRLA Events and Golf Tournaments!

Andrew Reimer CHAIR, WRLA