The companies listed here have collaborated with educational institutions to support wood technology education, toward the goal of increasing the workforce. Oftentimes, these partnerships make available cutting-edge training and equipment to schools.
Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center
The ATMC provides advanced technical and manufacturing solutions through industry and university partnerships to meet current and future business needs. The experiential intern program involves students in the Center's efforts of technology transfer and innovation, towards shaping a future workforce.
http://www.atmc.umassd.eduApprenticeship 2000
Apprenticeship 2000 provides a college education as well as on-the-job training. After four years training, skilled CNC machinists, tool-and-die makers, injection molding specialists, machine and electronics technicians have a guaranteed job.
http://www.apprenticeship2000.comCenter for America 10 x 20 Campaign
The purpose of Center for America's 10 x 20 Campaign and Pledge is "To keep jobs in America and to create new generations of skills, we need more training opportunities to build the workforce!" Sign the pledge and find out how you can get involved.
http://www.centerforamerica.org/Franklin Furniture Institute
Conducts research, provides expertise and training to assist furniture manufacturers with their competitive capabilities-both service and product. The Institute is credited with saving the state's furniture industry several million dollars a year.
http://www.ffi.msstate.edu/Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center
The Center conducts a program of applied research and technical assistance in support of furniture manufacturers. It is part of the NCSU College of Engineering. The Dept. of Industrial Engineering offers a BS in Industrial Engineering with a Furniture Manufacturing option.
http://www.fmmcenter.ncsu.eduHard Hatted Women
Since 1979, Hard Hatted Women (HHW) has engaged industry and community leaders to match women who need lifelong careers with employers who need a qualified, skilled workforce. Pioneering programs like Pre-Apprenticeship Training for Women, Rosie’s Girls, Tradeswomen TOOLS and WISE Pathways have inspired and provided skills to hundreds of women and girls in our community, and put many families on the path to economic security.
http://hardhattedwomen.org/mikeroweWORKS
Mike Rowe, of Discovery Channel's hit TV show Dirty Jobs, offers this website for the purpose of "trying to close the country's skills gap by changing the way Americans feel about work". Find job profiles and job resources, intelligent articles about career and technical education and skilled trades, participate in the community forum, see a listing of trade shows and other opportunities.
http://www.mikeroweworks.comSkills to Build America’s Future
Construction industry organizations join with the U.S. Dept. of Labor in an initiative designed to attract young people to careers in the skilled trades. "Skills to Build America's Future" reaches out to state and local governments, educators and counselors, trade schools and apprenticeship programs to encourage more young people to consider careers in the skilled trades.
http://www.doleta.gov/business/skilltobuild.cfmSkillsUSA Career Essentials
The SkillsUSA Work Force Ready System provides Skill Assessments for Career and Technical Education that are supported by industry, education and policy leaders.
http://www.workforcereadysystem.orgUniversity of Tennessee Forest Products Extension
A branch of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the Forest Products Extension exists to assist the wood products industry and community through information transfer and applied research.
http://web.utk.edu/~mtaylo29/default.htmlUtah State Univ. Partners in Business Program
The Partners in Business program is affiliated with Utah State University's College of Business. It is a forum that brings together the top minds of business and university communities for promoting and analyzing best practices and cutting edge thinking. The program offers high quality management seminars (including lean manufacturing), workshops, plant tours and more.
http://partners.usu.edu/Virginia Tech Center for Real Life Design
A collaboration between the Virginia Tech Department of Apparel, Housing and Resource Management and the kitchen industry, the center offers an opportunity to learn about new products, applications and technologies for residential kitchens in the 21st century. It is a hands-on learning experience illustrating various price levels, lifestyles and use of space.
liberalarts.vt.edu/research-centers/center-for-real-life-design.htmlWood Technology Industry Institute (WTII) Bootcamp
The Boot Camp Session is a comprehensive wood processing overview. A project based curriculum provides a hands-on exposure level learning to many facets of wood processing knowledge, machinery and application for wood industry professionals of all experiences. This session is geared toward supply-side companies in the wood industry who wish to further educate their workforce. Designed for Sales Professionals, Sales Managers, Product Managers, and Executives, this week long course will broaden the understanding of secondary wood manufacturing companies.
http://wtii.net/Woodwork Career Alliance
The Woodwork Career Alliance is an industry group responsible for the development of the Woodwork Manufacturing Skill Standards and it’s related Passport certification program, whereby individuals are assessed on various tool and machine skills to receive stamps in their Passport booklet.
http://woodworkcareer.orgBack to top