Woodworking education group officially blasts off at IWF '98.

Newly formed WoodLinks-USA addresses woodworking education needs and selects sites for pilot programs to recruit and certify tomorrow's woodworkers.

Modeled on a successful program developed in British Columbia, Canada, several years ago, WoodLinks-USA has been formed as a nonprofit educational institute with the objective to help supply quality workers for the wood products and related industries. Its efforts include the development of a "Careers in Wood" CD-ROM kit to recruit young people into the industry, which is already underway, plus a high school pilot site program of education and certification, which is just being developed.

WoodLinks-Canada initially became involved in developing a U.S. program through an Educational Forum organized by the Woodworking Machinery Industry Assn. several years ago. WoodLinks-Canada was chosen by the WMIA as its Educator of the Year in 1997.

Early efforts of the forum involved working with WoodLinks-Canada to develop a CD-ROM kit for the U.S. woodworking industry to inform and recruit students into woodworking careers. The kit, which is now available, includes a short introductory video, a teachers guide, a poster and a brochure. It is designed to reach high school students, their parents, educators and school guidance counselors.

The intention is that the kits will be purchased by wood products manufacturers and industry organizations and given to their local area high schools' career resource centers. Ideally, the manufacturers will stay in contact with local educators and provide additional input about the industry in general and specific career opportunities in their area.

In addition to overseeing and marketing the CD-ROM kit, the main focus of the newly formed WoodLinks-USA is implementation of Cooperative Woodworking Educational Initiatives - a program to establish pilot sites throughout the U.S. to educate and certify woodworkers.

A study to choose recommended pilot sites to begin the program was conducted by representatives from WoodLinksCanada earlier this year, with the results announced in late August at IWF '98. The evaluation was based on the level of support present among industry representatives and educators for establishing WoodLinks high school programs in their states. California, Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina were selected as initial sites.

The study indicated that in each of these sites, industry was having difficulty attracting skilled entry-level workers and that industry representatives approved of the organized and systemized solution offered by the WoodLinks program. In addition, each site has high school teachers who are ready and willing to start building a WoodLinks program in their schools.

Most of the high schools also have good relationships with colleges that are willing to link their programs and assist in making links with universities as appropriate. Four technical colleges will serve as anchors for the program in their states: Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA; Fox Valley Technical College, Oshkosh, WI; Kent County Training Center, Grand Rapids, MI; and Catawaba Valley Community College, Hickory, NC.

"These Cooperative Woodworking Educational Initiatives are the first large-scale industry effort ever organized to address directly the acute need we have to recruit the best and brightest to our industry," said Larry Hilchie, chairman of the Educational Forum and WMIA's education committee. "We have identified four core groups of talented and highly motivated people who are dedicated to making these initiatives work."

The program will begin in the fall with evaluations of high school and technical school curriculums to make sure that the needs of the woodworking industry are met with respect to science, computer science and mathematics instruction. Efforts also will get underway with industry volunteers to increase their involvement with students in the areas of recruitment, woodworking image marketing and work-study activities.

The WoodLinks-Canada program involves 240 hours of curriculum as a base. Students must successfully complete a written test, a practical skills checklist and receive a satisfactory teacher evaluation in order to be certified. In Canada, 40 percent of the student assessment is based on the tests and 60 percent is on the teacher evaluation. A "grade" of 70 percent or higher must be achieved in order to pass. However, the WoodLinks-USA program can be tailored differently, based on input from educators and industry.

WoodLinks-USA will be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of 13 individuals representing segments of the wood products industry, including manufacturers of furniture, kitchen cabinets, office furniture, store fixtures, components and architectural woodworkers, plus machinery manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and importers.

WoodLinks-USA also will serve as a clearinghouse for wood industry education and training information and act as a liaison between industry and educators to work together.

Financing the startup of the pilot site program is the next critical stage for WoodLinks-USA. Some funding already has been pledged by the WMIA, the National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers, the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers, USDA Forest Services and IWF. However, even with the monetary commitments already received, additional financing is needed to develop proposals to establish the individual pilot sites. Once the programs have been developed and costs and time commitments are defined, the individual sites have indicated that they will finance their share of the costs to implement the programs. But initial funding to get development started is needed now.

One of WoodLinks-USA's ongoing functions will be to develop a financing program by exploring sources of funds from state and federal government agencies, industry trade associations and individual companies in the wood products and related industries. It also will conduct an annual fundraising campaign to solicit contributions from subscribers, with suggested levels of giving ranging from a $50 "Poplar" sponsorship to a $5,000 "Walnut" level. (Since WoodLinks-USA is a nonprofit organization, contributions are tax deductible.)

"We are going to need strong wood industry companies' contributions if these programs are going to succeed and in order for them to be supported by state government and local education departments," Hilchie said. "I encourage each and every member of our industry to make a commitment to help in this effort. We need monetary support as well as involvement if we are going to ensure a high-quality work force in the future."

Hilchie also commented that although the WMIA's Educational Forum was the driving force behind WoodLinks-USA's formation, it will function as an independent, nonpolitical, industry-wide organization. "WMIA's efforts at starting WoodLinks could be compared to a rocket launcher," he said. "The association put the program up into the air. But once it's up, it is on its own. It does not represent any particular group, but is an industry-wide effort."

For additional information about WoodLinks-USA or to purchase a CD-ROM kit, contact WMIA at [phone]. To learn more about WoodLinks-Canada phone [phone] or visit www.woodlinks.com.

Mepla-Alfit Announce Merger Plans

Mepla Inc. and Alfit America Inc. formally announced the merger of their North American operations during IWF '98. Mepla manufactures hinges, drawer runners and drawer systems. Alfit produces epoxy roller runners and drawer systems. Both firms were acquired by The Wurth Group during the past year.

In making the announcement, Hilmar Bott, president of Mepla-Alfit Inc., said the two companies have cooperated for years in the development and manufacture of a limited number of special items. Under the new arrangement, both brand names will be maintained but will be sold by one single sales force, he said. Operations will be headquartered in High Point, NC, which will undergo expansion. Alfit will relocate its offices from its current headquarters in Richmond, VA, by the end of the year.

The combined annual sales of both companies is currently $50 million. Other Mepla-Alfit officers include Werner Bosch, vp of sales; Ed McCoy, vp of Finance; and Jutta Bott, marketing manager.

For additional information, contact Mepla-Alfit at [phone].