Six Public Policy Committee members from the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS® ) the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) called on the offices of twelve DC legislators and committee staff on June 22, 2022 to encourage support for apprenticeships and workforce development legislation. The group’s focus included the Employer Directed Skills Act […]
AWFS® Board President: What is normal anymore? Looking back at 2021, our industry saw record sales largely due to the housing market reaching the highest values in years, in part, due to low interest rates. The pandemic reduced travel, causing more Americans to stay home and invest in their assets. The AWFS®Fair was a success […]
by Adria Salvatore, AWFS Education Director Twelve members of the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS® ) Public Policy Committee and the wood industry called on the offices of twenty DC legislators and committee staff in March to encourage support for apprenticeships and workforce development legislation. AWFS is championing the approval of the National […]
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 […]
UPDATE: The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 passed in the House on February 5, 2021 and now moves to the Senate for vote. ANAHEIM, CA – January 29, 2021 – The Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®), a national trade association for the wood industry and owner/operator of the AWFS®Fair trade show, is in […]
AWFS is happy to learn that the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 has passed in the House and is now headed to the Senate for vote. While it may not pass during this Congressional term, it lays the groundwork for efforts in the 117th Congress! Washington, November 20, 2020 The House of Representatives passed Congresswoman […]
AWFS is happy to learn that the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, for which we advocated earlier this year, has passed out of the House Education and Labor Committee. AWFS had submitted comment and expressed support for funding assistance for small business and industries who want to set up apprenticeship programs, and for career exploration […]
Exciting news! A registered “woodwork manufacturing specialist” apprenticeship should be available in about a year! This is a hot topic and something our industry has needed for quite some time. It will help wood manufacturers (especially small and medium-sized) be able to offer an apprenticeship in their factories. According to Mark Smith, a member of […]
There’s a new apprenticeship bill moving in Congress that needs your support. The PARTNERS Act of 2017 aims to expand apprenticeship with the goal of building a skilled workforce. PARTNERS stands for Promoting Apprenticeship with Regional Training Networks for Employers Required Skills. It’s a bipartisan bill that would support partnerships between business and local workforce […]
U.S.Labor Secretary Perez is accepting applications from businesses and organizations who can devise the most effective apprenticeship programs to be funded through a $100 million grant program. Applications accepted through April 30. The program will pay $2.5 million to $5 million to…READ MORE
