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Design it Digital Student CAD Contest Winners Announced

For Immediate Release Contact: Adam Kessler adam@awfs.org 323.215.0312 August 24, 2018, Anaheim, CA — The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) announced the winners of its inaugural Design It Digital (DID) student CAD competition at the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) Atlanta on Wednesday August 22nd, at the AWFS® Booth #2375. DID is a Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) competition open to students in North America. In the contest, students are presented three hypothetical scenarios in which a client is asking for a custom piece of furniture. Students choose their favorite client project and design a solution using CAD and rendering software. They also estimate project[...]

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Wood Industry Resource Collaborative to Spark Workforce Growth

Eleven wood industry associations are pleased to announce the formation of a coalition aimed primarily at perpetuating the long-term growth of the industry by sustaining an engaged workforce. Since its formative two-day brainstorming meeting in November 2017, the group has chosen to organize under the name Wood Industry Resource Collaborative (WIRC). Pronounced “Work,” the name does a great job maintaining the group’s mission and goals. The collaborative group is a consortium of trade associations, all related to the woodworking or the wood products manufacturing industry. The group’s purpose is to provide a collection of tools and solutions for the wood industry[...]

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Introducing Cue Career!

We are proud to announce our partnership with Cue Career, a new website focused on connecting students with associations and introducing them to under-represented industries and career opportunities. Check out the AWFS Cue Career landing page here Click on the "Career Videos" tab to see student-focused video interviews with: Audrey Brewer, WEIMA America Paul Lam, Mark Keppel High School Saul Martin, Architectural Woodworking Company Thomas Tuck, C.R. Onsrud We hope you enjoy this new feature, we'd love to hear your feedback! Contact Adria Salvatore with any questions/concerns.[...]

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Perkins CTE Legislation Reauthorization Passes

After months (technically years) of waiting, anticipation, and efforts by AWFS and countless other industries and associations and organizations, the Perkins V reauthorization has passed in the Senate, House, and by Executive Order. AWFS joins with NAM, ACTE, and others in expressing appreciation to those representatives who helped moved this legislation forward, and is satisfied with the amendments made to the bill to strengthen CTE programs and provide more career education opportunities for students. Trump Signs Perkins Reauthorization (July 31) Perkins Passes in the House on 7/26: http://thehill.com/policy/technology/398849-congress-passes-ibm-backed-skills-training-legislation Press release from NAM: http://www.nam.org/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2018/07/NAM-Praises-Congressional-Passage-of-Perkins-CTE-Reauthorization/ The announcement from ACTE on 7/23 of Senate Passage … Subject: ACTE, Advance CTE Statement Upon Passage of Senate Perkins[...]

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Webinar: Join the Movement, Host a MFG Day Event!

WATCH THE RECORDING from the AWFS webinar Join The Movement, Host a MFG Day Event! held on Jun 7, 2018 10:00 AM PDT Looking for a way to attract skilled workers? Would you like to connect students interested in woodworking-related careers? Have you considered hosting a company tour or open house? 64% of students who attend a company tour or open house are "more motivated to pursue a career in manufacturing"! MFG Day - a national campaign to increase student awareness of manufacturing careers - provides resources to help you plan your company event. AWFS hosted a webinar on Thursday, June 7, 2018 about how to get involved in[...]

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AWFS Members support SkillsUSA California Student Woodworking Contests

AWFS member companies showed their support for student woodworkers by donating materials, tools and prizes to the SkillsUSA California 2018 regional and state woodworking contests. SkillsUSA is one of the leading career and technical student organizations, and the California state chapter is the third largest in the nation with over 33,000 members. Students compete in skill contests, where they learn about woodworking and cabinetmaking and follow projects developed by industry professionals. Thirty-one high school students from the Los Angeles region participated in the local contests at Los Angeles Trade Technical College in January. Royal Plywood of Cerritos, CA donated all of[...]

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AWFS Members Call on D.C. Legislators to Support Career Technical Education

Ten members of the AWFS Public Policy Committee called on the offices of twenty nine legislators and agency staff in Washington on February 28, 2018, to encourage support for Career Technical Education (CTE) and apprenticeship programs, both critical for strengthening our industry’s skilled workforce. The fly-in, a joint effort with Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) and Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA), had nearly thirty attendees. Attendees found the event to be productive, well-organized, informative, and fun. “Every meeting was meaningful and worthwhile toward our goal”, said committee member Dave Golling of Royal Plywood, “this was time well-spent”. AWFS Public Policy Committee Chair Rob[...]

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“Implementing WCA in the Classroom” Webinar

AWFS co-hosted a 1-hour webinar on March 13, 2018 with WCA veteran educators Patrick Molzahn (Madison College) and Bert Christensen (Westosha Central High School). This webinar provides useful ideas that you can use to implement the WCA (Woodwork Career Alliance) credentialing system in your classroom. The WCA has assembled a library of videos, training resources, and educational materials to make your job easier. Two veteran teachers who have used the WCA Skill Standards to shape their curriculum share how they manage the training and credentialing process. You will learn ways to plan and prepare your academic calendar to incorporate WCA credentials into[...]

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Call for Entries: AWFS Announces New Online Student Competition “Design it Digital” to Focus on CAD Skills

ANAHEIM, CA – November 13, 2017 – The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) announces the launch of Design it Digital, a new CAD-based design contest that is open to middle school, high school, and post-secondary students in accredited woodworking or related programs in North America. This contest is entirely free to enter and entry applications will be accepted until May 31, 2018.   In Design it Digital, students are presented with three hypothetical scenarios in which a client is asking for a custom piece of furniture. Students can choose their favorite client project and design a solution using CAD and[...]

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Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge judges announced

Wood scientist, veneer specialist, master craftsman are among judges selected for 2015 woodworking competition. Entries due May 25. The competition includes a student entry category. Winners will be announced at the AWFS Fair. Click here for details.[...]

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