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canadian industry Online - NOVEMBER 2014
GM
:
It’s important to understand
what training programs are avail-
able and what they can do to improve
skills in forestry industries. This means
working to improve involvement by
First Nations communities in this sec-
tor’s labour force.
Forestry is an area where more
training programming can be devel-
oped. This is the type of industry that
is the centre of small communities.
CIO
:
What are NRCan’s priorities
for the next few years?
GM
:
We have three strategic pri-
orities supporting sector competitive-
ness: Transformation of the sector sup-
porting forest products, creating more
culture and innovation, and exploring
new international markets.
We also want to optimize forest
value, and improve the well-being of
Canadians by making available the
wide range of benefits and opportuni-
ties in the sector.
In addition, we are investing in
science and the environmental perfor-
mance of the forest sector, and estab-
lishing what role we can play interna-
tionally.
About FPInnovations
FPInnovations is among the
world’s largest private, non-profit
research centres working in forest re-
search. The organization helps the
Canadian forest industry to develop
pathbreaking solutions based on the
unique attributes of Canada’s forest
resources, favouring a sustainable de-
velopment approach and taking full
advantage of the industry’s consider-
able scientific, technological and com-
mercial capital.
To achieve this, FPInnovations
has created a business model like no
other in the world, a model that allows
it to respond efficiently to the needs of
its members in the private sector, and
of its partners in research, academic,
and federal and provincial government
circles.
Based on the principle of collab-
orative research, this model combines
strategic research alliances, products
and services, along with licensing and
joint venture agreements when taking
the needs of members and customers
into consideration. Projects defined
under this model will be transformed
into deliverables and value proposi-
tions through the work of 18 research
departments linked with no fewer than
eight university research networks.
These teams centre their activities
around 11 research programs and two
areas of focus, which are described in
more detail here:
-
tions.ca/ResearchProgram/Pages/
research-program-overview.aspx#.
VGZ9bPnF9As. This is a model that
goes beyond traditional R&D. With a
market-first focus, it incorporates the
NABC (Needs, Approach, Benefits,
Competition) system developed by SRI
International, adapted to the specific
characteristics of the Canadian forest
industry and economy.
By making the connection be-
tween R&D on one hand and indus-
try needs on the other, FPInnovations
helps the Canadian forest industry to
envision new possibilities for the fu-
ture.
About the Canadian Forest Service
The Canadian Forest Service
(
CFS) is the national and international
voice for the Canadian forest sector. It
is part of Natural Resources Canada, a
federal government department.
The CFS provides science and
policy expertise and advice on national
forest sector issues, working in close
collaboration with the provinces and
territories.
Today, the CFS is pursuing its
vision of a robust, globally competi-
tive forest sector firmly underpinned
by healthy, productive and sustainable
forests. Achieving this vision is critical
to ensuring the long-term economic
success of the sector and the sustain-
able management of this important
renewable resource.
NRCAN
