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WMIA Contributes to Skill Standards Development

WMIA contributed $5,000 to the Architectural Woodwork Institute's Wood Manufacturing Skill Standards, Evaluations & Credentials project. The project is aimed at meeting the need for skilled woodworkers in an increasingly competitive global market. Manufacturers need to retain and make optimum use of present workers and retrain, train and retain new workers in the marketplace. They also need to train workers in the latest modern woodworking machinery and techniques.

The project is a three-phase effort: 1) creation of a framework for development of the Skill Standards; 2) development of skills criteria and evaluation documents; and 3) launching of a credentialing process for individuals who demonstrate they meet the skills criteria.

Current tasks in Phase 1 include developing a working advisory group of volunteers; establishing a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation and governing board; and soliciting volunteers to create technical writing teams to dcevelop the Skill Standards' outline, criteria and outcomes. AWI past president and outgoing AWILL Dean Scott Nelson is spearheading this effort.

Those interested in this project should contact Greg Heuer at gheuer@awinet.org for more information.