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2002 Environmental Conference: Industry needs to attract more graduates

The CEOs are alarmed that the pulp and paper industry is not attracting students, as seen by the low enrollment at engineering schools.”The industry is not seen by students as lucrative and attractive…

The CEOs are alarmed that the pulp and paper industry is not attracting students, as seen by the low enrollment at engineering schools.

“The industry is not seen by students as lucrative and attractive,” said John Weaver, President and CEO of Abitibi-Consolidated. “We don’t have that sexy image that the tech industry has.”

He explained that most people in the industry come from “paper family” — those who have been involved in the industry for decades. Therefore, companies must come up with ideas to attract more graduates to venture in the industry.

“One of the things we try to do is to come up with co-operative programs,” said Jerome Tatar, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Mead Corporation. In fact, Tatar said, he just came back from University of Miami to introduce the program aimed at attracting more students.

Tembec Inc. has come up with scholarship programs as well, said its President and CEO, Frank Dottori. The company developed scholarship programs in every region where they are operating, with guaranteed summer jobs for its participants.

Weaver said his company has internship programs as well. They also recruit from rural communities. He explained that people from the rural areas understand the pulp and paper industry better, and are eager to be a part of the industry especially for their first jobs.

The CEOs hope that these programs would pave the way to attract more graduates and students in the industry.