Growing Interest in Hardwood Careers Through Hands-On Learning

As domestic market trends continue to emphasize workforce development and industry education, the National Hardwood Academy’s (NHA) Inspector Training School (ITS) is proving that hands-on exposure to hardwood can spark curiosity, and even future career interest, among the next generation.

Recently, students from Gurdon High School in Arkansas, ranging from 8th through 12th grade, visited the National Hardwood Academy for an educational tour led by Roman Matyushchenko, Associate ITS Dean & National Inspector. The students study hardwood and lumber grading under Andy Massing, an ITS alumnus who incorporates hardwood education and grading instruction into his classroom curriculum.

During the tour, students explored the many species, colors, grades, and applications of hardwood products while getting an inside look at the Inspector Training School experience. For many attendees, the visit challenged their assumptions about the industry and high-lighted the wide range of opportunities available within hardwood manufacturing and inspection.

“I think it was really nice, and it taught us a lot about the different types of wood,” said Dixon Land.

Several students commented on the surprising variety within hardwood species and products.

“I thought it was interesting how much cool stuff can be made out of wood—stuff you wouldn’t really think about,” said Cody Rider.

“There’s a lot of different types of wood and different colors,” added Josiel Perez.

For Paul Massing, one of the biggest takeaways was learning how extensive hardwood classifications can be.

“I thought it was interesting that there are so many variations—like white oak, red oak, and all the different kinds. It’s not just one type of wood,” he said.

Students also appreciated the interactive nature of the experience. Rather than sitting in a classroom all day, participants toured the school’s facilities, explored historic NHLA displays, and spent time in ITS’s hands-on learning spaces, which make ITS unique.

“I kind of thought it would just be sitting in a classroom,” said Rider. “I didn’t realize how much time you actually spend out there learning hands-on.”

One student pointed to the visual displays as a highlight of the day.

“My favorite part of the tour was seeing all the different kinds of wood on the walls,” Rider said. “And the wooden doorknobs—that was cool.”

Beyond introducing students to hardwood products, the tour also emphasized the value of formal education and training within the industry. Matyushchenko explained that many people enter hardwood grading positions already on the job, where learning can be difficult under production pressure.

“One of the things about Inspector Training School is that you have a space to learn hardwood and memorize it without having to already be on the job,” Matyushchenko explained. “You’ve got instructors to help guide you and the opportunity to really understand what the job entails and how to do it correctly.”

By the end of the tour, several students expressed interest in potentially attending the National Hardwood Academy’s Inspector Training School in the future, an encouraging sign for an industry focused on strengthening the next generation workforce.

As domestic hardwood markets continue to evolve, educational outreach efforts like these play an increasingly important role in connecting young people to sustainable, skilled careers within the hardwood industry.