A WoodIndustryEd.org user asks:
I would like to hear from secondary educators, please introduce yourselves and your programs. I'd like to have a place to network with other secondary educators in the woodworking field. Please comment introducing yourself and your program so we can get to know you!
So how about it, let's check in! Include where you're from (school, state) and something good that has happened in your program lately![...]
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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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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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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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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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Have you noticed lately how the "shortage of skilled workers" is becoming a critical and urgent theme? Rightly so, manufacturing is expected to grow, but many industries are concerned that they will not have enough skilled workers to maintain it.
This supplier is doubling it's plant, and will soon need 200+ more workers.
This well-known manufacturer can't find skilled workers fast enough.
This teacher is concerned that not enough students are available for opportunities from industry.
And this article states that as many as 2 million may go unfilled in the next decade due to the skills gap!
What is causing this problem? What can[...]
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Woodworking teachers - have you ever considered opening your shop for a tour for local industry members and other supporters? ACTE has published a great 8 minute informational video about how to plan a site visit. Check it out and let us know if you are offering any upcoming tours, we would love to come see your shop and learn how to get involved in supporting woodworking education!
https://youtu.be/YHQbedNoto8[...]
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Are you involved with SkillsUSA? Whether you are a teacher, student or industry professional, SkillsUSA can help you. Be a part of a nation-wide effort to promote skilled trades!
Here, Mike Rowe speaks with SkillsUSA for a few moments regarding the skills gap in America, the value of SkillsUSA, and what he thinks of SkillsUSA's slogan, "SkillsUSA: Champions at Work."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yihG89SB00g&feature=youtu.be[...]
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Fresh Wood Student Competition Judging Panel Taps
Experts in Furniture Design, Lutherie and Architectural Millwork
ANAHEIM, CA – Feb 12, 2015 – Six distinguished woodworking and furniture industry professionals have been selected as judges for the AWFS 2015 Fresh Wood student woodworking competition.
The judging panel consists of:
Bob Barone, accomplished lap steel guitar maker/artist
Martin Goebel, owner, Goebel & Co Furniture, melding traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design
Daniel Hellman, co-owner, Hellman-Chang, creator of luxury furniture lines
Saúl Martín, shop superintendent, Architectural Woodworking Company, a high-end commercial architectural millwork firm
Richard Schroeder, Vice President, Design, Stanley Furniture Company and ASFD Board President
Davide Tonizzo, owner, Design D, industrial design[...]
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The Promise of Career and Technical Educaiton
by Randi Weingarten
President, American Federation of Teachers
This is a repost, read the complete article here: http://www.aft.org/column/promise-career-and-technical-education
On the surface, the latest jobs report from the Department of Labor is good news—an estimated 214,000 jobs were added in October, which translates into 54 months of job growth, the longest streak of uninterrupted private sector job growth in our nation’s history.
However, a deeper look at those numbers shows that while more Americans may be finding jobs, wages are standing still. As the Economic Policy Institute reports, earnings for the wealthy few have surged upward while paychecks for the vast majority of Americans have been[...]
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