WIDE Trust

As Sophie Cusack prepares for her final year of study, she feels excited and optimistic about her future in forestry. “Over the last few years, I have enjoyed learning the different aspects of forestry, and I am looking forward to my final year at university and the rest of my career in forestry,” she said. The WIDE Trust is proud to support students like Sophie, who are passionate about shaping the future of New Zealand’s forestry industry. Discover more at: https://lnkd.in/gQ4S3MAC

Thanks to support from the WIDE Trust, Sophie Cusack attended the CATE conference in Dunedin. Engaging with teachers and promoting forestry careers was a rewarding experience. “It was a lot of fun talking to teachers about the range of career options and answering any questions they had about the forest industry,” Sophie shared. The event drew large crowds and sparked significant interest in forestry, which Sophie believes is vital for promoting and growing the industry. “I think it was a great way to help promote and grow the industry. I would 100% attend again if needed in the future,” she added. Discover more at: https://lnkd.in/gQ4S3MAC

Sophie Cusack embraced leadership through her role on the executive team of FORSOC, the forestry student society. Organising events for fellow students was a highlight of her year. “Being part of the FORSOC exec team has been very enjoyable, organising events for forestry students to get involved with,” Sophie said. Discover more at: https://lnkd.in/gQ4S3MAC

During her second semester, WIDE Trust grant recipient Sophie Cusack explored courses in wood science and forest management. These courses deepened her understanding of the chemical and biological aspects of wood, as well as wood processing and the management side of forestry. “I enjoyed learning about the chemical and biological aspects of the wood, wood processing, and the management side of forestry,” she shared. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gQ4S3MAC

Sophie Cusack, a dedicated forestry student, recently reflected on a year filled with valuable learning opportunities, leadership roles, and hands-on industry experience, all made possible with support from the WIDE Trust. Read what she had to say at: https://lnkd.in/gQ4S3MAC

For the WIDE Trust, supporting young professionals in attending events like WoodWorks is part of a broader commitment to building New Zealand’s wood and forestry industries. By enabling students and recent graduates to participate in such events, the WIDE Trust is helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders in these industries. Discover more at: https://lnkd.in/ggF3m8BX

Megan Scholtz highlighted the value of attending WoodWorks 2024 as a student beginning her career, especially the exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, engineers, and contractors. "The Q&A sessions allowed us to hear diverse perspectives, and it was great to see support among professionals," she said. Discover more at: https://lnkd.in/ggF3m8BX

Peter Ravn found WoodWorks 2024 particularly valuable in expanding his knowledge of CLT construction and mass timber’s evolving challenges. A session on Building Information Modeling (BIM) showcased how this digital tool enhances early contractor engagement, ultimately leading to more accurate project execution. "BIM allows stakeholders to visualise projects from the outset, addressing complex design aspects specific to CLT and mass timber. Discover more at: https://lnkd.in/ggF3m8BX

WoodWorks 2024 emphasised timber's potential to reshape construction with a robust agenda featuring sessions on: - BIM and Mass Timber Trends – exploring digital innovations that streamline timber construction projects. - Showcased Projects & Key Learnings – covering real-world applications of mass timber in recent builds. - Tools for Proving Sustainability – providing strategies to quantify and communicate timber’s eco-friendly benefits. Discover more at: https://lnkd.in/ggF3m8BX

Thanks to WIDE Trust, several young professionals and recent graduates, including site managers, engineers, and architecture students, had the opportunity to attend WoodWorks 2024. Discover more at: https://lnkd.in/ggF3m8BX