UFP school graduating first class in August
The UFP Business School will graduate its first class this August.
From there, the students will be taking jobs with Universal Forest Products operations across North America, UFP said.
UFP Business School is a two-year program created and operated by Universal Forest Products. The curriculum is modeled after a four-year business degree program. Courses are taught by Universal professionals including the company CEO and vice presidents.
School is year-round with students in class for 10 hours a week and in a paid internship 20 hours per week. For one term each year they work at one of the UFP’s North American operations. Those who graduate get first pick of available jobs. All students attend on a full scholarship underwritten by the company.
“We were challenged to find qualified people who were ready and able to get to work. At the same time, our CEO, Matt Missad, was considering viable options to costly, post-high school education opportunities,” said Lynn Afendoulis, director of corporate communication.
“UFP Business School isn’t the easy option – it is rigorous and we demand much of the students,” she added, “but we open the door to a lot of opportunity for those who succeed. It’s exciting to see our first-ever students get jobs at our operations.”
Students attend courses at Universal’s Grand Rapids, Mich. campus and online.
UFP a leading supplier and manufacturer of wood and wood alternative products for retail, construction, and industrial markets around the world. The company operates 130 facilities in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
From there, the students will be taking jobs with Universal Forest Products operations across North America, UFP said.
UFP Business School is a two-year program created and operated by Universal Forest Products. The curriculum is modeled after a four-year business degree program. Courses are taught by Universal professionals including the company CEO and vice presidents.
School is year-round with students in class for 10 hours a week and in a paid internship 20 hours per week. For one term each year they work at one of the UFP’s North American operations. Those who graduate get first pick of available jobs. All students attend on a full scholarship underwritten by the company.
“We were challenged to find qualified people who were ready and able to get to work. At the same time, our CEO, Matt Missad, was considering viable options to costly, post-high school education opportunities,” said Lynn Afendoulis, director of corporate communication.
“UFP Business School isn’t the easy option – it is rigorous and we demand much of the students,” she added, “but we open the door to a lot of opportunity for those who succeed. It’s exciting to see our first-ever students get jobs at our operations.”
Students attend courses at Universal’s Grand Rapids, Mich. campus and online.
UFP a leading supplier and manufacturer of wood and wood alternative products for retail, construction, and industrial markets around the world. The company operates 130 facilities in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.