Anaheim, CA − (February 14, 2024) – SkillsUSA CA hosted the qualifying Introductory Woodworking and Cabinetmaking competitions for 73 middle and high school students across California on February 3, 2024. Staff from the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®), the Society of Wood Manufacturing® (SWM), and from the Architectural Woodwork Institute® (AWI®) volunteered to organize and manage the competitions as contest coordinators. AWFS® recruited industry professionals to act as judges for the contests.
The Introductory Woodworking contest is intended to introduce students to the essentials of woodworking by giving them a live project to complete in a two-hour time limit. The contest this year was aimed as students making a wooden tool tote and served to hone their skills and encourage them to compete in the Cabinetmaking contest in the future. The Cabinetmaking contest is for more advanced students and consists of a live build in a three-hour time limit. This year’s contest was aimed for students to build an end-table sized cabinet using a combination of traditional and modern joinery techniques. Top contestants from these competitions will advance to the SkillUSA CA State Conference in Ontario, CA in early April 2024.
AWFS® would like to thank the team of volunteers who contributed their time and expertise to plan and execute the two contests:
Tovi Spero, AWFS®/SWM – Contest Coordinator
Saul Martin, AWI®/SWM – Contest Coordinator
Hannah Khalaf, SurfPrep Sanding – Judge
Jeff Bellows, Jeff Bellows Construction – Judge
Ben Angerer, Shaper Tools – Judge
Marcelo Rubin, Decore-ative Specialties – Judge
Jillian Klinar, INNERGY – Judge
Chad Thelen, Thelen Cabinet Co. – Judge
Denny Jahnz, Cabinet ReNu – Judge
The project plans were developed by SWM and drafted by Saul Martin of AWI®.
Official Press Release:
The Start of SkillsUSA 2024: Introductory to Woodworking (California Region)
About AWFS®Fair:
The AWFS®Fair, scheduled for July 22-25, 2025, in Las Vegas, is a premier international event in the woodworking industry. Serving as a vital hub for global commerce in home and commercial furnishings, the fair brings together manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, plastics, lumber, and construction materials.
For more information on the AWFS®Fair, please visit AWFSFair.org.
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Media Contact:
Roschel Dizon
Marketing Coordinator
323.215.0317
Education Contact:
Tovi Spero
Education Director
323.215.0311