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Training Program Led by INFOR Promotes Wood Construction in the Province of Arauco

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• Courses are taught by former head of the "Carpentry and Finishes" specialization at the School of Trades and Occupations in the Construction Industry of Quebec (EMOICQ), Daniel Lachance.

The Forestry Institute (INFOR), through its Wood Technology and Products division, is currently conducting three "Carpentry and Finishes" courses in the commune of Los Álamos, Arauco Province. This initiative is part of the Biobío FNDR program "Training for the Competitiveness of the Timber Forestry SME and Wood Construction in the Biobío Region," which aims to position the Biobío Region as a hub for wood construction through training and collaboration between public and private actors.

The training program will run until June 14 and will train 36 people, including workers from small construction companies and individuals registered with the Municipal Labor Intermediation Offices (OMIL) in Lebu and Los Álamos. The courses are led by Daniel Lachance, former head of the "Carpentry and Finishes" specialization at the School of Trades and Occupations in the Construction Industry of Quebec (EMOICQ).

The renowned professional carpenter held his position for over 20 years in Quebec, one of Canada's 13 provinces, with an estimated population of 9 million.

Lachance highlights the demand and rigor of training in Quebec, where around 500 applicants competed for the specialization in 2023, with only 220 selected. "These students complete an intensive 1,350-hour program at no cost, taught by 35 instructors across three training centers," he explains.

The province of Quebec faces a housing deficit of 860,000 units, prompting the local government to offer 600-hour carpentry courses with an incentive of CAD$21 per hour for participants. In this context, the professional carpenter emphasizes his country's push for wood usage.

"Quebec's building regulations, overseen by the Quebec Housing Corporation, allow wood-framed buildings of up to eight stories, highlighting the durability and efficiency of this material," he notes.

Lachance also underscores advancements in wood construction systems in Canada, citing the example of an 80 m² house built in Quebec using the Thermolog system, with a total cost of CAD$135,000, excluding foundations and labor.

"This type of initiative reflects the potential of carpentry training to boost the construction industry in Biobío, leveraging international expertise and knowledge," he concludes.

Finally, Patricio Elgueta Muñoz, coordinator of the Biobío FNDR program at INFOR, states, "This training represents a significant opportunity for beneficiaries, who will acquire valuable skills to enhance their competitiveness in the labor market and contribute to the region's development."

Similarly, Gonzalo Hernández Careaga, coordinator of INFOR's Wood Technology and Products division, highlights the timing of these training programs, noting that "in May 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony for 200 social housing units took place in Tirúa, and another 513 houses are set to begin construction soon in the commune of Los Álamos."