Tag Archive for: AWFS Fair

Richard Christianson

AWFS Fair Issues Call for Students to Enter Freshwood Design Competition

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2027 AWFS Fair Freshwood Logo

The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers will host its biennial Fresh Wood student furniture competition at the 2027 AWFS Fair, July 13-15 in Las Vegas. The competition is open to high school and post-secondary students ages 16-35 in accredited woodworking or related programs.

There is no fee to enter. Entry applications will be accepted until April 15, 2027.

2027 Special Theme: Sports & Games
From sporting equipment to game tables and chess sets, the 2027 Fresh Wood Special Theme invites students to bring their creativity to the world of sports and games. Last offered in 2019, this theme was well-received, making it an exciting choice to bring back for 2027.

Students can explore a wide range of possibilities, including tennis rackets, hockey sticks, fishing and hunting equipment, canoes, dartboards, card tables, pool tables, ping-pong tables, chess sets, and more. The theme encourages students to combine creativity, functionality, and craftsmanship in projects inspired by the sports and games they enjoy.

New for 2027: Musical Instruments and Digital Fabrication
Fresh Wood is expanding its opportunities for student creators with the addition of a dedicated Musical Instruments category and the introduction of Digital Fabrication, replacing the former Design for Production category.

The Musical Instruments category gives students a dedicated opportunity to showcase instruments designed to produce sound, including string, percussion, woodwind, and other types of instruments. Entries will be recognized for originality, craftsmanship, design, functionality, and quality of construction. Instruments should be playable or demonstrate their intended musical function. By creating a dedicated category, AWFS hopes to encourage a wider variety of entries, from guitars to less traditional musical creations.

Digital Fabrication reflects the evolving tools and technologies students use to bring their ideas to life. The category welcomes projects that incorporate digital design and fabrication methods, including CNC machining, 3D printing, laser cutting, and other digital fabrication processes. It also creates opportunities for students working in maker spaces and other technology-focused learning environments to participate. Students may use AI and other available tools as part of their creative process, reflecting the growing role of technology in modern design and manufacturing.

Seven Categories to Showcase Student Talent
The 2027 Fresh Wood competition features seven categories: Case Goods, Seating, Tables, Open, Musical Instruments, Digital Fabrication, and the Sports & Games Special Theme. Together, these categories offer students a variety of ways to showcase their skills, from traditional furniture making to musical instrument construction and technology-driven fabrication. The competition celebrates the next generation of creators and the many ways they are shaping the future of woodworking.

Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges representing different areas of the woodworking industry. Judges’ scores will determine the finalist projects selected for display at the AWFS Fair. AWFS covers project shipping within the contiguous United States and most student attendance costs, helping make participation in thecompetition and Fair more accessible.

Recognition, Cash Prizes and Industry Exposure
The Fresh Wood entry deadline is April 15, 2027. Finalists will be on display throughout the AWFS Fair July 13-15, 2027.

Winners will be identified and announced at an Awards Ceremony during the show, open to all attendees and exhibitors. First place, second place and honorable mention awards may be given out in each category and at each school level. A “Best of Show” award will also be selected from all first-place category winners, and the recipient will receive a custom trophy from an accomplished woodworker. A People’s Choice
award, for which all AWFS Fair attendees and exhibitors have the opportunity to vote, will also be given. All winners receive cash prizes, and the winning pieces will be featured on the AWFS website and future publications.

For more information and entry instructions, visit AWFSFair.org or contact: AWFS Education & Member Services Director Nicole Taylor, (323) 215-0311 or nicole@awfs.org.

About AWFS Fair
The full-scale international AWFS Fair, scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday, July 13-15, 2027, in Las Vegas, has become a critical hub for international commerce in the woodworking industry. The AWFS Fair brings together the home and commercial furnishings industry, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, lumber, construction materials and other suppliers to the furniture.cabinet manufacturers and custom woodworkers. For more information, visit AWFSFair.org.

Richard Christianson

Access Training Materials from WCA’s participation at AWFS 2025 for Free

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We’re pleased to make some of the informational materials from educational sessions at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas available for download.

For a limited time, you can access these documents without a Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) membership. We encourage you to take advantage of this now, as access may be restricted to WCA members in the future.

Available Informational Materials:

  • Building a Training Program for Your Shop: The PowerPoint presentation used by WCA President Scott Nelson and WCA Board member Bruce Spitz for their highly rated AWFS workshop.
  • Cabinetmaking Fundamentals & Skill Development: A comprehensive, detailed outline for creating a structured training program in your shop. It’s designed to be modular, progressive, and competency-based, making it easy to tailor to your specific needs.
  • WCA Skill Standards: Get a closer look at the foundation of our training philosophy with several WCA Skill Standards, including Measurement and Layout, Sawing, Milling, and Boring.

Access the downloads.

Scott Nelson president woodwork career alliance
Richard Christianson

President’s Message: WCA Credentialing Update & AWFS 2025

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The WCA Passport Credentialing Program continues its impressive growth! In Spring 2025, we enrolled 900 new candidates and awarded 1,100 credentials across various skill levels (Sawblade, Core, Green).

Over the next six months, we’re undertaking a complete overhaul of our online Passport program registry. This update will provide teachers and evaluators with easier access to enter credential information and simplify results reporting for administrators.

Speaking of WCA educators, we’re proud to have awarded 10 Teacher Assistance Scholarships ($850 each) to attend AWFS 2025 this July.

Join Us at AWFS College of Knowledge!
The WCA is a major participant in the AWFS College of Knowledge conference program. Be sure to attend our sessions:

  • “Building an In-House Training Program for Your Workers”: Join WCA President Scott Nelson and Board Member Bruce Spitz for this 2.5-hour workshop on Tuesday, July 22, 9:30 a.m. – noon. Attendees receive a $150 discount on our annual $250 MANufacturing membership!
  •  “CAD for the Wood Shop”: With WCA Education Chairman Mark Smith on Wednesday, July 23, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • “Overview of New WCA Online Employee Training Resources”: Led by WCA Vice President Greg Larson on Thursday, July 24, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Visit the WCA at AWFS Booth #3573
Don’t forget to stop by Booth #3573 at AWFS 2025! We’ll be conducting demos of our online training modules and discussing how the WCA can benefit your school or company.

A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors!
We extend our sincere gratitude to our GOLD and SILVER Sponsors for their unwavering support. If you’re attending AWFS, please take a moment to visit their booths and thank them personally!

Sincerely,

Scott Nelson
President
Woodwork Career Alliance of North America
snelsonwca@gmail.com

AWFS Fair Las Vegas
Richard Christianson

WCA to Showcase New Online Training at AWFS Fair

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WCA online training seminar at AWFS Fair 2025LINCOLN, Neb. – The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) will feature its new online training modules for entry-level woodworkers at the upcoming AWFS Fair in Las Vegas. These resources help woodworking companies enhance their in-house employee training.

The seminar, “An Overview of the New WCA Online Employee Training Resources,” will be led by Greg Larson, WCA Vice President, on Thursday, July 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It will cover how these online tools can be integrated into existing training programs for better outcomes with new hires.

Greg Larson

Initially available modules include Math, Measuring, and Layout; Wood Theory; Milling and Machining; and Woodworking Fundamentals. The program offers narrated presentations, videos, supplemental reading, and quizzes.

Attendees will learn:

  • Common reasons why inexperienced trainees struggle.
  • Key characteristics of effective trainers.
  • Strategies for integrating WCA’s online modules into in-house programs for better results.

“Most woodworking companies have to train new employees in-house, but many, especially small to mid-size firms, lack a standardized program,” Larson said. “These online modules are a crucial, 24/7 asset to help train new hires and get them productive faster.”

The WCA’s online modules provide essential theoretical knowledge and background in an accessible format, designed to complement, not replace, on-the-job training.

The WCA will also host two other educational sessions at the AWFS Fair:

“Building an In-House Training Program for Your Workers”: This two-and-a-half-hour workshop, led by WCA President Scott Nelson and Board member Bruce Spitz, offers practical strategies for companies to develop or enhance internal training programs. This session is on Tuesday, July 22, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Attendees receive a $150 discount off the $250 annual MANufacturing membership to the WCA.

“CAD for the Wood Shop”: Mark Smith, Chairman of the WCA’s Education Committee, will present this session on Wednesday, July 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It will explore how educators can use technology-backed, student-driven learning to boost student achievement.

Learn more and register.

Visit WCA at Booth #3573
The WCA invites all attendees to booth #3573 to learn about its Skill Standards and Passport credentialing program, along with membership opportunities for educators, woodworking companies, and industry suppliers.

About the Woodwork Career Alliance
The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 2007. Governed by a volunteer board of directors, the WCA’s mission is to develop and administer a unified set of Skill Standards for the wood products industry. Since 2011, WCA has developed observable and measurable performance standards and assessments for over 240 woodworking machine operations. The WCA has issued over 6,000 Passport credentials, a portable, personal permanent record documenting woodworking skill achievements. Over 140 high schools and post-secondary schools across North America are WCA EDUcation™ members, and a growing number of woodworking companies have joined as WCA MANufacturing™ members. To learn more about the WCA and how to get involved, including INDustry™ Sponsorship opportunities, visit WoodworkCareer.org.

AWFS Fair Las Vegas
Richard Christianson

WCA Workshop at AWFS Fair Tackles Woodworking Skills Gap with In-House Training

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Scott Nelson, left, and Bruce Spitz will present “Building an In-House Training Program for Your Workers” at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) will host a timely workshop at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas, addressing the acute shortage of skilled woodworkers. Titled “Building an In-House Training Program for Your Workers,” the session will equip wood product manufacturers with actionable strategies to develop or enhance internal training, fostering a productive and retained workforce.

Scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, the workshop will be led by WCA President Scott Nelson and WCA Board Member Bruce Spitz, both seasoned veterans with decades of experience running successful architectural woodworking companies.

Owners and managers are strongly encouraged to attend this vital session to gain insights into:

  • Training Overview: Review a sample in-house training aligned with WCA skill standards and credentialing.
  • Increased Efficiency & Quality: Training Shop employees to be more effective in production
  • Safety Compliance: Integrate robust safety measures to mitigate risks and ensure regulatory adherence.
  • Employee Retention: Foster a positive work environment, increase job satisfaction, and improve retention through training.
  • Competitive Advantage: Differentiate your company, attract top talent, and secure long-term success.
  • Artificial Intelligence: This session will touch on using AI as a training tool.

“My shop was constantly working to train our shop employees using apprentice programs and in-house classroom teaching. Our success was directly tied to the skill and dedication of our craftspeople,” said Spitz. “Investing in robust in-house training was the foundation upon which we built exceptional quality and fostered immense pride. This workshop offers invaluable insights for any woodworking business seeking that same expertise and commitment.”

“This workshop provides tangible, actionable strategies for companies to take control of their workforce development,” Nelson added. “By leveraging WCA standards and effective in-house training, businesses can enhance immediate productivity and quality while securing a sustainable talent pipeline.”
Special Offer: Attendees qualify for a $150 discount off the WCA’s $250 annual MANufacturing membership.

In addition to this session, the WCA will offer two other valuable workshops at the AWFS Fair:

  • CAD for the Wood Shop with WCA Education Chairman Mark Smith: Wednesday, July 23, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • Overview of New WCA Online Employee Training Resources with WCA Vice President Greg Larson: Thursday, July 24, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Learn more and register for these workshops.

About the Woodwork Career Alliance
The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 2007. Governed by a volunteer board of directors, the WCA’s mission is to develop and administer a unified set of Skill Standards for the wood products industry. Since 2011, WCA has developed observable and measurable performance standards and assessments for over 240 woodworking machine operations. The WCA has issued over 6,000 Passport credentials, a portable, personal permanent record documenting woodworking skill achievements. Over 140 high schools and post-secondary schools across North America are WCA EDUcation™ members, and a growing number of woodworking companies have joined as WCA MANufacturing™ members. To learn more about the WCA and how to get involved, including INDustry™ Sponsorship opportunities, visit WoodworkCareer.org.

Richard Christianson

AWFS Fresh Wood Student Competition Now Accepting Entries

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ANAHEIM, Calif. – Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) is excited to announce that the Fresh Wood student woodworking competition is now open for entries for its 2025 cycle. High school juniors and seniors, as well as post-secondary students in woodworking and related programs across the United States, are encouraged to submit their projects for this prestigious opportunity.

The deadline to enter is Friday, May 2, 2025.

Finalists will be invited to exhibit their projects at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas, taking place July 22–25, 2025, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The competition provides a unique platform for student woodworkers to showcase their craftsmanship to thousands of industry professionals and gain national recognition.

Fresh Wood celebrates creativity, innovation, and excellence in woodworking. Categories include tables, chairs, design for production, case goods, open category, and the special theme: Spin N’ Shape. Top winners receive monetary prizes, trophies, and industry exposure.

For more information visit awfsfair.org/fresh-wood.

For more information about the AWFS Fair, visit awfsfair.org.

About AWFS Fair
The AWFS Fair, scheduled for July 22-25, 2025, in Las Vegas. The AWFS Fair 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.

Richard Christianson

President’s Message: Celebrating a Landmark Year and Building Momentum for 2025

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2024 marked another milestone year for the Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA), defined by continued growth and impactful expansion of our Passport Credentialing Program.

We witnessed a surge in participation, welcoming 1,810 new candidates into the program and proudly awarding 1,520 credentials across diverse skill levels. This achievement underscores the program’s vital role in equipping individuals with industry-recognized expertise.

Our commitment to fostering educational partnerships remains strong. We added 10 new EDUcation™ members, while maintaining an impressive 80% retention rate among our existing schools. Simultaneously, our MANufacturing™ membership expanded by nine new firms, demonstrating the growing industry recognition of WCA’s value.

To amplify our industry outreach, we deployed press releases, disseminated the quarterly Pathways newsletter, and showcased WCA’s impact at SkillsUSA, IWF 2024 and ACTE 2024 Vision. We further invested in educators by awarding eight $850 teacher scholarships through the Greg Heuer EDUcation Fund to attend IWF 2024, empowering them with valuable professional development opportunities.

Our online evaluator training continues to prove a successful, providing flexible and accessible training for Accredited Skill Evaluators nationwide.

The fantastic financial support of our Gold and Silver Sponsors is instrumental in our ability to advance our programs and realize our mission of cultivating a skilled workforce. We are profoundly grateful for their partnership.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce we are beta testing four new online training modules. These resources, designed to empower both MANufacturing and EDUcation members, will launch later this year, providing accessible and relevant educational tools.

We are thrilled to extend our commitment to educators by offering up to 10 $850 scholarships for WCA EDUcation member teachers to attend the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas. Click here to apply by May 15 and be sure to visit us at AWFS booth 3573!

Finally, I am delighted to welcome Kelly Victor-Burke as our newest WCA Board Member. Her exceptional expertise and unwavering dedication will be invaluable assets as we continue to drive WCA’s mission forward.

Together, we are building a stronger, more skilled workforce for the woodworking industry. Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Scott Nelson
President
Woodwork Career Alliance of North America
snelsonwca@gmail.com

AWFS Fresh Wood
Richard Christianson

Updated Rules Announced for AWFS Fair Fresh Wood Student Competition

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The Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) announced that the official rules and information for the 2025 Fresh Wood Student Competition are now available online. The biennial event, which takes place July 22-25 at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas, invites U.S high school juniors and seniors, plus post-secondary students in woodworking or related programs to showcase their design and craftsmanship.

This year’s rules include several updates, notably new “originality” guidelines and an age limit, now set at 35 years, to encourage emerging talent to participate. These changes underscore AWFS’s commitment to fostering innovation while protecting participants’ original work, making the Fresh Wood competition an invaluable platform for young professionals entering the woodworking industry.

There is no cost to enter the contest. The entry deadline is May 2.

“The Fresh Wood competition has always highlighted the creativity and skill of student woodworkers, and these updates will continue to support those values,” said Angelo Gangone, Executive Vice President at AWFS. “We’re excited to see this year’s entries and support the next generation of woodworking professionals.”

Interested participants can review the competition rules and guidelines on the AWFS website:  Fresh Wood 2024-2025 | AWFS Fair.

Richard Christianson

President’s Message: Meet Us in Las Vegas!

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The 2023 AWFS Fair is quickly approaching and WCA is preparing for a robust show!

This year, our major focus is on helping more wood products manufacturers create or improve their in-house training programs.

For starters WCA Board Member Bruce Spitz and myself will conduct a workshop, “Building a Training Program for Your Workers,” 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Our colleague, Greg Larson, vice president of the WCA, will present, “Teaching and Evaluating the Wood Industry’s Skill Standards,” from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 27. Learn more.

We also recently announced our drive to enroll more woodworking companies as MANufacturing members. By becoming a member they can utilize our skills standards and Passport credentialing program, plus gain access to our extensive library of training videos and other instructional materials. Attendees of Tuesday’s workshop qualify to join the WCA as a MANufacturing member for $100, a 60% savings on their first-year membership.

As we move through the remainder of 2023, WCA is creating online training modules that will benefit our MANufacturing members to make their training programs more effective.

We’re looking to build out our MANufacturing membership base during a period of record growth of the number of EDUcation high schools and postsecondary schools. I’m proud to announce that we issued 1,070 credentaisl during this past spring semester. This is an all-time high for the program. Hopefully we will soon see some of these students enter the secondary wood processing industry armed with basic yet essential skills to begin successful careers.

We hope to sign up more high school and postsecondary woodworking programs as EDUcation members in Las Vegas. In fact, instructors affiliated with a variety of WCA institutions will share their knowledge and expertise in five of the seven education sessions slated for the Teacher Track at next week’s AWFS.

Thanks to our INDustry sponsors, we have provided eight woodworking instructors with $850 scholarships to defray the cost of attending AWFS. By being able to attend the show, they can see the latest technology and products, and can network with exhibitors and woodworking professionals to stay in tune with industry’s needs.

As we move through the remainder of 2023, WCA is creating online training modules that will benefit our MANufacturing members to make their training programs more effective.

Please stop by our booth #1377 to learn more about our programs and to discuss how we can help you with your company’s training needs.

Hope to see you at AWFS!

Scott Nelson
President
Woodwork Career Alliance of North America
snelsonwca@gmail.com

AWFS Fair 2023
Richard Christianson

WCA to Present Workforce Development Solutions at AWFS Fair

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Scott Neslon, left, and Bruce Spitz will present “Building a Training Program for Your Workers” at the 2023 AWFS Fair in Las Vegas.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Representatives of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) will tackle the woodworking industry’s skilled worker shortage from two different vantage points in conference sessions at the AWFS Fair, July 25-28 in Las Vegas.

Bruce Spitz, member of the WCA Board of Directors, and Scott Nelson, president of the WCA, will discuss how woodworking companies can establish an in-house training program or improve an existing one. Greg Larson, vice president of the WCA Board, will explain the multiple benefits school woodworking programs and professional wood products companies can reap by becoming an EDUcation or MANufacturing member of the WCA.

“Building a Training Program for Your Workers,” is the title of Spitz’s and Nelson’s workshop scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25.

During the workshop, attendees will receive guidance for creating a first-year training template for new hires based on their production shop’s unique needs and incorporating the WCA Skill Standards.

Attendees will also learn how to:

  • Develop a pre-hire test required for job candidates before employment;
  • Identify the knowledge base skills and machine skills required in the first two years of a hire’s employment;
  • Develop a method of training that is best suited for their company and create standard operating procedures to facilitate their training program; and
  • Access quality training resources from the WCA’s extensive library of instructional videos, skill activities, and tests.

Attendees of this program qualify to join the WCA as a MANufacturing member for $100, a 60% savings on a one-year membership.

Larson’s presentation, “Teaching and Evaluating the Wood Industry’s Skill Standards,” is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 27, as part of the Teacher Track.

Greg Larson

A long-time instructor of cabinetmaking at the postsecondary level, Larson will discuss how to implement the WCA’s credentialing system to create and manage a training program in a school or business.

Larson, a WCA chief evaluator, has successfully used the WCA Skill Standards to shape his curriculum and credential students. He will also address WCA EDUcation and MANufacturing membership benefits including gaining access to the WCA’s extensive online library of instructional videos, educational materials, and other training resources to help trainers accomplish their goals faster and better.

Larson’s presentations is one of five sessions on the Teacher Track that will be led by WCA members. Others include:

  • “How to Keep Your Keester Out of Court (and Other Tips from a Veteran Educator)” presented by Patrick Molzahn, long-time former director of the Madison College Cabinetmaking & Millwork program, and founding member of the WCA Board of Directors, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25;
  • “Marketing Your Program — Are You Getting Anyone’s Attention?” presented by Mark Smith, woodworking instructor of Reed-Custer High School, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25;
  • “Shop Safety in Education” presented by Reuben Foat of the Cerritos College Wood Manufacturing Department, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26; and
  • “Building Trades into Education: Bridging the Skills Gap Through Collaboration” presented by Molly Turner and Peter Lutz, woodworking instructors that are part of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 27.

Learn more and register at awfsfair.org.

About the Woodwork Career Alliance
The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America was founded in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The WCA’s mission is to develop and administer a unified set of Skill Standards for the wood products industry. Since 2011, WCA has developed observable and measurable performance standards and assessments for more than 300 woodworking machine operations. In addition, WCA has issued over 5,000 Passport credentials, a portable, personal permanent record documenting each holder’s record of woodworking skill achievements. More than 160 high schools and post-secondary schools throughout North America are WCA EDUcation™ members and a growing number of woodworking companies have joined the WCA as MANufacturing™ members. To learn more about the WCA and how to get involved with its programs, including sponsorship opportunities, visit WoodworkCareer.org.