Two-day Summit at Department of Education Welcomed by Secretary Betsy DeVos; Included Site Visits
Anaheim, CA – Nov 15, 2018 — Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) was invited to
participate in the 4th U.S.-China State and Provincial Education Leaders Dialogue: Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET), held in Washington D.C. October 30-31. The invitation was extended as a result
of AWFS Education Director Adria Salvatore’s current role as Chair of the ACTE Business & Industry Advisory
Group (BIAG).
Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, presented a welcome message to the group, highlighting the necessary
“soft skills” and values that students can gain though CTE and the importance of education to the economy:
“How we approach education must reflect the realities of today’s economy, with an eye toward tomorrow’s
opportunities…we look forward to cooperating (with China) on career and technical education and
apprenticeships for preparing a 21st Century workforce.”
Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) Assistant Secretary, Scott Stump, also participated in
the event and emphasized the importance of industry-education partnerships, apprenticeships, and the Perkins
legislation for CTE funding. Attendees at the meeting included officials from the U.S. Department of Education
and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, U.S. State and Chinese Provincial Education
Chiefs, career and technical education (CTE/TVET) directors and providers, and CTE-focused industry
representatives.
The summit consisted of constructive dialogue and information sharing from both countries, alternating
presenters from the U.S. and China. “We learned about the structure of Technical and Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) and the role of industry and the federal, state and local government in the process in China,”
says Salvatore. “There were identifiable similarities and differences between the approaches of the two
countries. However, the U.S. and China are able to learn from one another and there was valuable information
shared that will help us all strengthen Career Technical Education.” Both countries agreed that there should be
multiple pathways and options for students, ways for students to apply their learning, and industry participation
for well-rounded learning opportunities.
In addition to hearing from various subject matter experts, attendees visited local DC area post-secondary
schools with exemplary CTE programs. At Northern Virginia Community College, attendees learned about the
innovative new apprenticeship program with Amazon Web Services; at Montgomery College, attendees heard
from students, alumni, and educators in their well-established and successful automotive, HVAC, and apartment
maintenance programs.
“I am appreciative of ACTE and the Department of Education for including AWFS in this event,” says Salvatore.
“This summit provided me with a deeper understanding of Career Technical Education and the key elements
needed for a strong CTE program. This information can be applied to AWFS’ work with schools and industry, and
allow us to better identify and provide opportunities to our member companies.”
For more information contact Adria Salvatore, (323) 251-0311 or adria@awfs.org
Image Caption: The attendees at the 4th U.S.-China State and Provincial Education Leaders Dialogue: Technical and
Vocational Education and Training (TVET) included officials from the U.S. Department of Education and the
Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, U.S. State and Chinese Provincial Education Chiefs,
career and technical education (CTE/TVET) directors and providers, and CTE-focused industry representatives.
About AWFS
The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS), founded in 1911, is a non-profit organization
that wholly owns and produces the biennial AWFS®Fair. The largest trade association serving the entire home
and commercial furnishings industry, AWFS has more than 400 members, including manufacturers and
distributors of machinery, hardware, software, tooling, lumber, components, plastics, wood products and
supplies for the woodworking industry including cabinet, furniture, millwork and custom woodworking products.