In early June 2021, woodworking students across the United States competed in the SkillsUSA National Cabinetmaking Contest. Students submitted their career-based resumes, completed a Technical Assessment (written test), and provided a sample project Cut List via the SkillsUSA Champions Hub contest website. On June 15-17th High School and Post-Secondary woodworking students from across the country competed in the live build portion of the SkillsUSA National Cabinetmaking contest which was organized by a group of Architectural Woodworking Institute leaders. AWI members recruited woodworking professionals across 22 states to act as contest proctors and video the student contestant throughout the six-hour long contest. Students used the woodworking facilities at their high school, trade school, or college to compete this year. This was a first for a SkillsUSA contest which are normally held as a live event at a large convention center.
The live build project for the 2021 SkillsUSA National Cabinetmaking Contest was a hexagon box with a removable lid and trim pieces. Students and their Advisors (teachers) did not know what the project would be until the contest orientation, just a few days before the contest. The contest was designed to test the woodworking abilities, knowledge, and skill of each student. This year’s contest being virtual posed extra challenges for the contest coordinators, who had to limit the machines required to make the project to the basic woodworking machinery and tools typically found in most woodshops like the table saw, miter saw, and block plane. Student contestants were given a list of tools and materials which were the only items they are allowed to use to complete their project. The contest duration was also reduced from eight hours to six hours and the complexity of the contest project was also simpler than in previous years where students build full size case goods.
In California, AWFS® was fortunate to be able to help with the proctoring process. AWFS and Society of Wood Manufacturing (SWM), its Southern California chapter focused on industry-education connection, coordinate woodworking competitions for SkillsUSA California, the state SkillsUSA organization. AWFS offered to help identify a proctor for the California contestant, and Adam Kessler (AWFS) and Saúl Martín (SWM President) stepped into the role. The two travelled to Martinez, CA in the Bay Area to proctor at Alhambra High School for the California contestant Nolin Searls. Nolin and his woodworking instructor Caleb Sydlaske are new to SkillsUSA. “This was a great experience even though everything was virtual this year, and we look forward to competing again,” said Sydlaske. “Nolin’s project placed fourth in high school at nationals, which is really an accomplishment!”
Six student winners were announced on June 24th at the 2021 SkillsUSA National Awards and Recognition Session. Congratulations to all of the winners!
High School Cabinetmaking
Gold Medal – Max Soares from Greater New Bedford RVTHS in Massachusetts
Silver Medal – Hayden Clarke from College State High School in Texas
Bronze Medal – Cole Murray from Greene River High School in Wyoming
Post- Secondary Cabinetmaking
Gold Medal – Christopher Midgley from Indian Capital Technology Center-Sallisaw in Oklahoma
Silver Medal – Chris Todd from Wayne State College in Nebraska
Bronze Medal – Ryan Faust from Saint Paul College in Minnesota