NHLA NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER GRADING COURSE

NHLA National Hardwood Lumber Grading Course - http://www.wvwoodtech.com

The 14-week curriculum provides students with both the technical knowledge of the NHLA grading rules, and the practical skills and experience necessary to become a lumber inspector.

A Proud Tradition Continues

The National Hardwood Lumber Association is a nonprofit trade association of over 1,800 member firms that produce, sell and use hardwood lumber, or provide services to the hardwood industry. The Association was founded in 1898 to establish a uniform system of grading rules for the measurement and inspection of hardwood lumber. The NHLA still functions as the administrator and keeper of these rules.

In 1948, the Association established a vocational training school in Memphis, Tennessee, to teach the rules and application of the NHLA grading system, and help fill an increasing demand for skilled lumber inspectors throughout the United States, Canada and the world. In 55 years, the Inspection School has trained nearly 7,000 lumber inspectors. As testimony to the value of the school, many graduates from the early classes are now in ownership or management positions in the industry and are sending their sons, daughters and employees to complete the course.

In 2002, the NHLA made a decision to provide an additional training venue that companies in the central Appalachian forest could utilize to meet the regional need for trained lumber inspectors. As a result of this initiative, a partnership agreement was formed with the West Virginia Wood Technology Center and Fairmont State Community and Technical College to provide additional NHLA sanctioned training.