Workforce Needs & Challenges in the U.S. Forest and Wood Products Sector and the Value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Infographic

The US Forest and Wood Products Sector is a Significant Employer and Contributor to the Economy:
In 32 major forested states, the forest and wood products sector

• supports a workforce of nearly three million people (~$128 billion in payroll)
• represents 6% to as high as 20% of GDP across these states

Workforce Changes and Challenges:
Employment in the forest sector has been declining for more than a decade due to mill closures, economic conditions, changes in technology and automation

• Women make up 47% of the total US workforce but only 17% of wood products manufacturing jobs
• Potential annual employment need for the forest and wood products sector is projected to be >50k people annually over the next five years
• median age in the forests and wood products sector is up to 19% higher than the average in the total US workforce
• Near-term and future growth opportunities in the sector (innovation and product development): mass timber, biochar, bioenergy, and ecosystem services markets

The Value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: 
Analysis of companies reveals a statistically significant connection between diversity and financial performance: 

• Companies that ranked in the top 25% for racial/ethnic diversity are 30% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry median.
• Companies that ranked in the top 25% for gender diversity are 15% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry median. 

Effective Workforce Strategies in the Forest and Wood Products Sector:
For Recruitment:

• Create greater forestry career awareness through a range of initiatives that reach wide-ranging audiences (scholarships, awards, internships, social media storytelling, community engagement, teaching opportunities at middle and high schools, job fairs and educational events).

For Leadership Development:

• Commit to creating and maintaining an equitable work environment, providing each employee with the necessary education, tools, and opportunities to thrive and succeed.

For Retention:

• Embrace and encourage individually where all employees feel included and comfortable sharing their ideas and perspectives.

"A thriving forest and wood products sector is dependent on a wide array of talent, and the sector needs to have the ability to recruit, retain, and develop leadership across all workforce segments."

Read the report.