Entry-Level Credential - Woods

The Mid–Willamette Woods Consortium in partnership with the Enterprise for Employment and Education has created a process to identify, prepare and funnel entry-level employees into the secondary woods industry. In addition, iLearn Oregon and Tooling U have joined the effort to host on-line courses targeting entry-level workers needs. Funding has been provided through the Workforce Investment Act funding by the Enterprise for Employment and Education.


The ELC Woods program grew out of a similar Entry-Level Credential program first piloted by the Metal Consortium in August 2007. The curriculum and assessment tools were developed after identifying the critical competencies for the woods industry. The program is an intensive, short-term preparation for interviewing at entry-level employment in the woods industry.



The program is made up of three main components:

• On-line self study courses – Approximately 30 courses requiring 30-60 minutes each to
complete. Each have a mastery assessment, students may repeat a class and re-test up to five
times to improve their score.
• Hands-on exercises – Promote active learning and simulate actual on-the-job tasks, successful
completion of the task is required to demonstrate competency in that task.
• Soft skills component – Behavioral observations are recorded and points awarded across
specific soft-skills areas, points are considered into the learner’s overall rating.


At the end of the program a summary report is forwarded to potential employers who may wish to interview the learner for an available entry level position. Several participants at our Woodburn site are working through the ELC Woods course right now and will be tested for their competency on Monday April 19th. Pictured above are Juan, Carlos and Dylan completing one of the hands-on exercises.