Course modules in the Management Skills Training Program are tutored by specialists that have been chosen both for their in-depth knowledge of the subject matter and for their firsthand familiarity with the wood products manufacturing industry. All of the course tutors have experience working in various aspects of the wood products industry, most in technical or production-related roles in addition to their specific management expertise. Overall coordination of the program is provided by the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, a non-profit education, training and service centre for the value-added wood products industry located in Vancouver, BC. Some of the instructors include:
- Barbara Bell (New Product Development), an educator and industrial designer specialising in furniture and wood products who operates her own freelance design company as well as consulting to manufacturers on design and product development
- Jason Chiu (Quality Management), a graduate of UBC’s B.Sc. Wood Products Processing program who has worked both as a manufacturing engineer in the window and door industry as well as a specialist in implementing quality control systems, improving finishing operations and managing new product development projects
- David Cohen (Sales & Marketing, Business Finance), an international expert on wood products marketing who has provided business strategy assistance to manufacturers on four continents after spending ten years working in the forest industry in the Kootenay region of BC