School of Planning, Design and Construction

The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (SBWI) and the Construction Management program at Michigan State University’s School of Planning, Design and Construction (SPDC) have announced a collaborative effort to develop the nation’s first non-union Mass Timber workforce development curriculum.

The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian, Michigan, is an accredited nonprofit college redefining skilled-trades education through craft, design, and innovation. SBWI offers intensive programs in woodworking, furniture making, and building trades that merge artistic craftsmanship with technical mastery.

Through the MassTimber@MSU initiative, the Construction Management program at SPDC leads research, education, and outreach in engineered wood systems and sustainable building practices.

The initiative—led by George H. Berghorn, Ph.D., LEED AP, CGP of MSU and Luke Barnett, President of SBWI—will produce a full curriculum framework designed to train workers for the emerging Mass Timber and Timber Framing industries. The curriculum will be implemented at SBWI’s new purpose-built campus as part of its Timber Framing and Mass Timber Trade School Program, launching in fall 2027.

“By uniting research and workforce education, we can create a clear pathway from forest to fabrication,” said Dr. George Berghorn, Assistant Professor of Construction Management at MSU. “This curriculum will help ensure that Michigan has the skilled professionals it needs to grow the mass timber industry responsibly and efficiently.”

The partnership brings together MSU’s research and academic expertise in mass timber construction with SBWI’s leadership in hands-on skilled-trades education. Together, the two institutions are developing a comprehensive training pathway that integrates classroom theory, applied design, and field-based learning.

MSU’s Leadership in Mass Timber Innovation

Michigan State University has established itself as a leader in mass timber research and education through its  MassTimber@MSU initiative, which integrates research, outreach, and policy development to advance sustainable building practices across the Great Lakes region.

The MSU STEM Teaching & Learning Facility, Michigan’s first mass timber academic building, serves as a living laboratory for sustainable construction methods. The building features 3,000 cubic meters of glulam and CLT, storing an estimated 1,856 metric tons of CO₂, and exemplifies the climate benefits of engineered wood systems. MSU researchers are working to strengthen the state’s wood-products supply chain, policy frameworks, and workforce capacity through industry and community partnerships.

Advancing Economic Growth and Sustainability

The development of a dedicated mass timber curriculum addresses Michigan’s growing need for trained workers in engineered wood construction—a field poised for rapid expansion as developers and architects seek lower-carbon building materials. MSU’s market analysis shows that mass timber adoption can generate new jobs in manufacturing, design, and construction while stimulating rural economies tied to forestry and wood production.

Each mass timber building built through these methods can offset significant greenhouse-gas emissions compared to conventional construction materials. The SBWI–MSU partnership supports the state’s goals for sustainable growth, carbon reduction, and workforce development in the next generation of construction.

“Our collaboration with Michigan State University allows SBWI to design a curriculum that meets real-world needs,” said Luke Barnett, President of SBWI. “This is about giving students practical, employable skills while advancing sustainable construction and economic development in Michigan.”

Timeline & Next Steps

2025–2026: Joint curriculum design, industry advisory input, and accreditation preparation.

Fall 2027: Launch of SBWI’s Timber Framing & Mass Timber Trade School Program at its new Adrian, Michigan campus.

Ongoing: Engagement with industry partners and expansion into continuing-education certifications.

Learn more about The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute at sbwi.edu.

Learn more about MSU's MassTimber@MSU initiative at canr.msu.edu/masstimber.