ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers is supporting the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021. AWFS has officially signed on as a supporter of the Act.

“Our industry, comprised primarily of small businesses, is experiencing a skills gap,” says AWFS executive vice president Angelo Gangone. “We need to utilize all tools and resources available to us to attract and train new talent, including apprenticeships.”

The expanded opportunities to registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships made available through the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 will help small wood manufacturers who lack the capacity to create an apprenticeship on their own.

Congressman Robert Scott (D-Virginia), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor has introduced the bill (H.R. 447), an amendment of the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937. According to Rep. Scott, the Act “will begin to bring America’s investments in apprenticeship more in line with countries around the world” as “our peer industrialized nations spend roughly six times as much as a share of GDP on apprenticeships as the U.S.”

“There are multiple successful U.S. apprenticeship models comprised of companies collaborating together and with local school and community partners.” says Gangone. “This is a critical element that will help us solve the workforce gap and strengthen our industry into the future.” The act’s encouragement for employers, industry associations, labor and joint labor-management organizations, education and training providers, credential providers, and apprentices to work together to establish and expand apprenticeships will have a meaningful impact on the skilled workforce and the future of industry careers.”

Review a fact sheet on the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021.