Nashville, TN January 27, 2021 - The Wood Industry Resource Collaborative (WIRC) is excited to announce the launch of their industry-wide career awareness campaign, “You Wood.” Developed by several industry trade associations led by AWFS, WMIA, and WMMA, in partnership with Nashville-based INDUSTRIAL Strength Marketing, the WIRC campaign aims to communicate wood industry career pathways and attract new talent.
The “You Wood” campaign features a website with career resource information, including profiles of high-demand positions, career quizzes, links to educational resources like schools and scholarships, industry information, and an events calendar. The site will be continually updated, and features will be[...]
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SHARED FROM WOODWORKING NETWORK
Kelly Victor-Burke, owner of Burke Architectural Woodwork, shared how she launched the nation's first woodwork manufacturing specialist apprenticeship in her Southeastern Michigan shop in a Woodworking Network webinar. Titled, "Grow your own: Training your future skilled woodworkers," the webinar was held in December 2020 and was aimed at showing how others can set up a Department of Labor-registered woodworking apprenticeship program. Victor-Burke drafted the initial framework of the program to address the employment gap in the wood products industry through cross-training and upskilling new and existing employees in a combination of CAD, mechatronics, wood processing, coatings, estimating and[...]
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In July, the Society of Wood Manufacturing (SWM), a Southern California industry-education focused group, identified a challenge that many high school woodworking teachers would soon face as the new school year began: how to teach woodworking while students are distance learning due to the pandemic. SWM decided to reallocate their budget and resources towards helping as many teachers and students as they could in this new, challenging educational environment. Three main issues were identified in which SWM could provide support: procuring wood materials for students, securing tools and supplies for students, and assisting teachers in preparing the materials and tool[...]
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Check out this 5 minute video showcasing the different roles and processes involved in a professional manufacturing facility.
This company produces high-end commercial architectural woodworking projects in Los Angeles, CA.
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The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®), and it’s Southern California industry-education chapter Society of Wood Manufacturing (SWM) have produced a video showcasing the various roles and processes involved in professional woodworking. The nearly six-minute video, the purpose of which is to introduce students to career pathways in the wood industry, features the team at Architectural Woodworking Company (AWC), Los Angeles. “We were happy to open our facility up for this video,” says Saúl Martín, AWC Vice President of Manufacturing. “During this pandemic, it is more important than ever to provide students with information about wood industry careers through[...]
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There are several MFG Day events taking place in October that are hosted by wood industry companies and featuring industry professionals! These events are specifically for students and teachers to attend to learn more about industry careers. Check them out and register ASAP!
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
VIRTUAL, 12:00 NOON - 2:00 P.M. ET CERATIZIT USA's Virtual Event
Thursday, October 1, 2020
IN PERSON (Bassett, VA) 3:00 - 7:00 P.M. Bassett Furniture Industries - Explore Manufacturing and More!
Friday, October 2, 2020
VIRTUAL, sessions throughout the day SWM Presents MFG Day 2020 Virtual: Careers in the Wood Industry
VIRTUAL, all day Mastercam Virtual MFG Day
VIRTUAL, 8:00 A.M.[...]
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READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
Brian Joyce, Vice President of Sales at Blum Inc., entered our industry in the early 1980s, building cabinets for a small, custom cabinet shop in Southern California as a way to support himself through college. Little did he know then that this "odd job" would lead to a rewarding career.
Over the last three decades, he has worked for three industry leaders. Five years ago, he moved from California to North Carolina where Blum's U.S. corporate office is to take on more national responsibilities within the Sales Department before becoming VP of Sales almost three years ago. We[...]
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The Society of Wood Manufacturing, or “SWM”, is an AWFS® chapter focused on supporting high school woodshop programs in the United States. SWM is open to individuals working in wood product manufacturing and related industries. The primary goal is to support woodworking programs through fundraising activities and events. Members benefit from this program by gaining opportunities to learn the many facets of the industry via networking, leadership development, tours and educational programs.
Members of SWM are industry-related business owners, educators, and professionals, who are focused on keeping woodworking relevant and exciting for students. The first SWM chapter is located in Southern California,[...]
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You can now watch the eight WED Talks (Wood Education Talks) that took place at the 2019 AWFS®Fair on YouTube.
Find information on each presentation, speaker and the video links on this page.
Norm Abram speaks at the 2019 AWFS Fair WED Talks
The 2019 AWFS®Fair WED Talks featured wood industry professionals and focused on topics including workforce development, industry skill standards, generational collaboration, social activism through woodworking, furniture design and the creative process, and the importance of diversity in the workforce. Speakers include Whitney Pyle and Thomas Allott, both members of the Woodworking Network “40 Under 40”; highly-respected and industry leading educator Patrick Molzahn; recognized artists Wendy Maruyama, Scott[...]
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MFG Day is Friday, October 4, 2019
MFG Day ("Manufacturing Day") is a nation-wide campaign to strengthen student awareness of manufacturing career opportunities. This is your chance to open your doors, welcome students, and make a positive impact on career awareness (and your future employee pipeline)!
Did you know...
...89% of students who attended MFG Day events are "more aware of manufacturing jobs in their communities"
...84% are "more convinced that manufacturing provides careers that are interesting and rewarding"
...64% are "more motivated to pursue careers in manufacturing"
(source)
How to Get Started
Once you decide to host an event, publish it on the MFG Day website.
Here are some additional resources to help[...]
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