AWFS® Participates in U.S.-China CTE Summit

November 15, 2018, Anaheim, CA — Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) was invited to participate in the 4^th U.S.-China State and Provincial Education Leaders Dialogue: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), held in Washington D.C. October 30-31. The invitation was extended as a result of AWFS Education Director Adria Salvatore’s current role as Chair of the ACTE Business & Industry Advisory Group (BIAG).

Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, presented a welcome message to the group, highlighting the necessary “soft skills” and values that students can gain though CTE and the importance of education to the economy: “How we approach education must reflect the realities of today’s economy, with an eye toward tomorrow’s opportunities…we look forward to cooperating (with China) on career and technical education and apprenticeships for preparing a 21st Century workforce.”

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) Assistant Secretary, Scott Stump, also participated in the event and emphasized the importance of industry-education partnerships, apprenticeships, and the Perkins legislation for CTE funding. Attendees at the meeting included officials from the U.S. Department of Education and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, U.S. State and Chinese Provincial Education Chiefs, career and technical education (CTE/TVET) directors and providers, and CTE-focused industry representatives.

The summit consisted of constructive dialogue and information sharing from both countries, alternating presenters from the U.S. and China. “We learned about the structure of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the role of industry and the federal, state and local government in the process in China,” says Salvatore. “There were identifiable similarities and differences between the approaches of the two countries. However, the U.S. and China are able to learn from one another and there was valuable information shared that will help us all strengthen Career Technical Education.” Both countries agreed that there should be multiple pathways and options for students, ways for students to apply their learning, and industry participation for well-rounded learning opportunities.

In addition to hearing from various subject matter experts, attendees visited local DC area post-secondary schools with exemplary CTE programs. At Northern Virginia Community College, attendees learned about the innovative new apprenticeship program with Amazon Web Services; at Montgomery College, attendees heard from students, alumni, and educators in their well-established and successful automotive, HVAC, and apartment maintenance programs.

“I am appreciative of ACTE and the Department of Education for including AWFS in this event,” says Salvatore. “This summit provided me with a deeper understanding of Career Technical Education and the key elements needed for a strong CTE program. This information can be applied to AWFS’ work with schools and industry, and allow us to better identify and provide opportunities to our member companies.”

For more information contact Adria Salvatore, (323) 251-0311 or adria@awfs.org

About AWFS
The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS), founded in 1911, is a non-profit organization that wholly owns and produces the biennial AWFS®Fair. The largest trade association serving the entire home and commercial furnishings industry, AWFS has more than 400 members, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, software, tooling, lumber, components, plastics, wood products and supplies for the woodworking industry including cabinet, furniture, millwork and custom woodworking products. To learn more, visit http://www.awfs.org/

Image caption: The attendees at the 4^th U.S.-China State and Provincial Education Leaders Dialogue: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) included officials from the U.S. Department of Education and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, U.S. State and Chinese Provincial Education Chiefs, career and technical education (CTE/TVET) directors and providers, and CTE-focused industry representatives.