Georgia-Pacific Introduces Technical Skills Program At Texas High School Atlanta, Georgia based Georgia-Pacific has introduced a 12-week technical skills course at Diboll High School in Di- boll, Texas, to help students build bright futures in manu- facturing. Last month, the Diboll ISD school board officially approved a new technical skills course, now being taught by Georgia-Pacific subject matter experts from Diboll Lum- ber and Diboll Particleboard. “The purpose of the course is to equip students with core technical knowledge and hands-on experience to understand and apply operator, electrical and mechanical skills in real sawmill and manufacturing settings,” said Matt Wynn, Georgia-Pacific Continuous Improvement Lead- er and author of the high school sawmill curriculum. “By working alongside local Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors and providing exposure to modern tech- nology and processes, we’re helping to jumpstart the ca- reers of junior and senior students.” The 15 students currently enrolled are participating in 12 90-minute sessions that combine classroom instruction, interactive learning and mill tours. Upon completion, stu- dents will earn a program certification and be eligible for potential employment opportunities with Georgia-Pacific. “These students will be prepared for entry-level roles or apprenticeships and will hold a respected certificate of
completion that gives them a competitive edge after grad- uation,” Wynn added. So far, students have completed three courses cov- ering an introduction to the sawmill industry, the flow of wood through the production process, the operation of each machine center and manufacturing safety. “We’re thrilled to work with Georgia-Pacific to bring this new curriculum into the classroom,” said Josh Slack, Diboll High School CTE Director. “The students are engaged and value hearing directly from industry professionals who can share their real-world experience and knowledge.” The program offers students the opportunity to earn two certifications: a 22-hour electrical apprenticeship through Angelina College and a 20-hour electronic tech- nology certificate — both of which can qualify them for jobs with Georgia-Pacific after graduation. “Diboll is a close-knit community built on generations of hardworking families,” Slack said. “Some students want to explore opportunities beyond the city limits, but others want to stay close to home with great-paying jobs. Geor- gia-Pacific is an essential community partner that supports both goals — it’s truly a win-win.” Diboll Lumber plant manager, Derek Roche, says the hope is that this program shows students they can build rewarding, successful careers right here in Diboll. “We’re proud to partner with local educators to prepare the next generation of the workforce — and, hopefully, help launch long and meaningful careers with Georgia-Pacific.”
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December 8, 2025
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