Thank A Framer by West Fraser

Why Do We Care?

West Fraser is nothing without framers. They install everything we make. And right now, there aren’t nearly enough of them.

This hurts our customers – the building materials dealers who stock and sell our products, and the builders who buy them for use in new house construction. They range from small businesses employing one or more framing crews, to major developers who plan, build and market entire neighborhoods.

It also hurts the US economy. The framer shortage is slowing new house construction during this time of high demand. Thousands of American families with the means to purchase new homes can’t, simply because of the housing backlog.

It’s a big problem.

And it’s entirely solvable

To start the momentum last year, we donated $1.1 million to the Home Builders Institute (HBI). The funds went toward establishing pre-apprenticeship programs to train future framers in Houston, Texas and Tampa, Florida, in aid of post-hurricane rebuilding efforts.

New trainees on Houston jobsites

HBI had no framer training programs in Houston prior to Hurricane Harvey. With the city facing so much damage and too few qualified carpenters to undertake reconstruction, Norbord teamed up with HBI to fund a new program.

Along with the support of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the HBI Acres Homes Training Program launched at the end of June 2018. Upon completing 12 weeks of training, the 14 young men and women graduates will be hired by Acres Homes to begin apprenticing, building new houses, earning good pay. The course was free for all participants.

Other initiatives

We’re dedicated to helping unemployed, underemployed and underserved youth across the country become framers. And we’re working to ensure HBI trainees receive the most up-to-date, nationally-recognized energy-efficient homebuilding techniques.

There’s been much interest in automated robotic off-site construction as a way to address the skilled labor shortage, and we believe it’s a progressive approach to many issues facing our industry. We also believe in not forgetting about people, framers, the American worker and the potential of our youth. This is why we’ve joined with HBI to train a new generation of framing carpenters in more efficient and productive construction techniques. To supply them with wood structural panel products that speed construction and increase the productivity of framers, electricians, plumbers, and the insulation trades. To lower the builder’s costs and reduce waste. And, ultimately, to make new houses more accessible and affordable to the American homebuyer.

Help us spread the good word about careers in framing

These are the key facts able-bodied young Americans – and their parents – need to know about pursuing a career in framing carpentry:

It takes just 12 weeks of training to earn HBI’s Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) credential to work as a paid apprentice framer nationally

Full-time framing work pays very well

There are ample framing job vacancies in most US states

Many who begin as framers become successful builder-entrepreneurs

Framing keeps you fit, strong and mentally sharp

Framing is enjoyable, creatively challenging and satisfying work

Using renewable timber from responsibly managed forests (from which all Norbord products are made) is the greenest way to build houses

Watch Last Year’s #ThankAFramer Video

Framers measure, cut and assemble the entire aboveground load-bearing structure – or the frame – of a house: Studs, joists, walls, sub-flooring and roof sheathing. Framing demands skill, strength, toughness and teamwork. Framers install our products. So, it was natural for us to bring attention to the valuable but unsung heroes of our industry by showing our appreciation to the American framers out there, working tirelessly to build the structures that house our families.
Click to watch our tribute to Americans framers.

#THANKAFRAMER is giving America more framers to thank.

Why Do We Care?

And it’s entirely solvable

Trainee to working apprentice framers in 12 weeks

New trainees on Houston jobsites

Tampa gets a critical lift

Other initiatives

Help us spread the good word about careers in framing

The future is framing

Watch Last Year’s #ThankAFramer Video

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