Industry professionals from AWFS® (Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers®) member companies and the Society of Wood Manufacturing (SWM) supported students from high schools across the state competing in the first ever remote SkillsUSA California Cabinetmaking and Introductory Woodworking contests. The contests were designed to be completed entirely at home, and students submitted videos and participated in virtual interviews with the judges.
Virtual Competitions a New Experience for All
The virtual woodworking skill contests consisted of four components: a written test, which included safety, mathematical, and woodworking knowledge questions; a woodworking project that could be built at home; a brief video presentation[...]
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by Adria Salvatore, AWFS
In March 2021, Saúl Martín was invited to speak virtually to the woodworking classes at Redwood High School in Visalia, Calif. Martín is vice president of operations at Architectural Woodworking Company (AWC) in Southern California, a company that produces high end woodwork and furniture for commercial clients in Downtown Los Angeles. He is also a strong supporter of woodworking education programs: he is lead volunteer for the SkillsUSA California woodworking contests, he has hosted student internships and teacher externships, he serves on local school advisory committees and has hosted MFG Day (Manufacturing Day) events. In the fall[...]
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By Adria Salvatore, AWFS® Education Director
Happy #CTEMonth! In February, we celebrate Career Technical Education (CTE) and highlight ways to engage with CTE programs, teachers, and students!
What is CTE?
When you were in high school, you may have been aware of “vocational education” or “shop” classes -- this was historically how students learned woodworking skills. But today, the educational landscape has changed and the focus is now on Career Technical Education (CTE), which provides students with real-world skills to prepare them for future careers in industry. CTE spans many industry sectors, but for the wood industry, CTE programs that would[...]
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This year, SkillsUSA California put students’ woodworking skills to the test at six regional competitions throughout the state. As the national SkillsUSA website states: “Skills USA is a national nonprofit organization serving middle school, high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.” AWFS® sponsored Society of Wood Manufacturing (SWM) members volunteered at three of these California events.
Region 3 Introductory Woodworking Students with their projects.
The SkillsUSA CA Region 3 Conference was held on January 25th at[...]
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SkillsUSA California hosted the 2019 State Cabinetmaking and Introductory Woodworking Competitions on Saturday, April 27th at Chaffey High School in Ontario, California. Staff and industry volunteers from the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) assisted as contest coordinators, judges, and with overall contest support. Over $10,000 in contest supplies, tools, and giveaways for students were donated by: Blum, Inc, Castle, Inc., Colonial Saw/Lamello, Decore-ative Specialties, Drawer Box Specialties, Edgebanding Services Inc (ESI), Grex Tools, Hafele, Kemp Hardware, Royal Plywood, and Society of Wood Manufacturing (SWM), a chapter of AWFS®. Read more...[...]
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[caption id="attachment_12688" align="alignleft" width="349"] SWM donations for SkillsUSA California State winners.[/caption]
The Southern California chapter of the Society of Wood Manufacturing (SWM) recently held their annual holiday party and meeting. In lieu of a gift exchange, SWM members contributed tool donations which will become part of the Prize package for students in SkillsUSA California State Cabinetmaking and Introductory woodworking competitions. SkillsUSA is one of the largest national Career Technical Student Organizations serving students who are pursuing jobs in skilled trades. The Southern California SWM chapter organizes the woodworking competitions for the SkillsUSA CA Los Angeles Region and at the State level.[...]
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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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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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