High school shops

[jmauldin]

I'm not trying to get on a political stump, but this is important
Jim in Mayberry

I

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Shavings & Sawdust

Dedicated to the Advancement of Custom Woodworking

Issue No. #77 American Furniture Design Company June 1, 2006

Inside this Issue Editorial from Brian Murphy Father's Day Specials

A note from Brian

As we start our Newsletter this month another school year has come to an end. I would like to call your attention to a problem in our educational system across the country. School after school are closing their woodshop programs because of a lack of funds or a directional change in administration, that view these programs as expensive and not able to contribute to the fiscal well being of a community.

High school curriculums are moving away from courses that will not lead to college entrance. Most high school administrators will tell you in great depth about SAT scores, college placement and others aspects of academic achievement. Talk with them about the students that can’t or don’t want to go to college, and what effort is being made to prepare them for the work force and you will get a different reaction.

As a country we have become so enamored with going to college that we have lost sight of the fact that there are other career paths, even through the high school woodworking programs.
Woodworking is major industry in this country and if this trend continues where will the work forces come from in the near future to support it? I would suggest that if you have the opportunity to support these programs in your community that you do so.

Here at AFD we have been supporting over 40 schools with our plans. I have had the opportunity to be involved as an advisor in the San Diego County ROP program and assist with a local high schools woodworking program.

To ensure the health of our industry we need to be involved. I would encourage you to make a phone call to your local junior high and high school and talk with the woodshop instructor. Or just send a letter asking if he or she needs assistance with their program.

This is our opinion what is yours?
Brian H. Murphy
Americanfurniture@cox.net

Here are a couple idea's for that " special " Dad for Father's Day

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ROSEWOOD HANDLED CHISEL SET
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Enjoy your woodworking, and share your skills and knowledge with others.
Brian and all the folks from American Furniture Design Co

americanfurniture@cox.net
www.americanfurnituredsgn.com

[DaveO]

I read that editorial when I got the e-mail and 100% agree with what is being said. I very fondly remember my Jr. High shop class and how cool I thought everything was then....it could be why I am interested in woodworking now.
Dave

[cskipper]

Girls weren't allowed to take woodshop when I was in school - not that I would have. I didn't get any exposure until college - then is didn't blossom until I married LOML! But I agree that all of the trade skills are disappearing.

[DaveT]

We didn't have wood shops in my high school. It was all machine, automotive and electronics shops. They were fun to, but it would have sparked my woodguy disease much sooner.

[rbdoby]

I was lucky. My high school had a carpentry and masonry class. We actually built a house every two years. When the house completed it was sold and the profit used to start the next house. The program was cancelled because of the cost of insurance for the student workers. I learned a lot in those classes.

[Ozzie-x]

Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention. School trade programs have been vanishing for a good while now. The result is that there are fewer and fewer trained and qualified people available for the job market. The contractors have been complaining for years about finding qualified workers. Some of the Community Colleges still have trade programs, but many of those programs have fallen victim to budget cuts or administration direction. As woodworkers, we realize the value and satisfaction of woodworking trades. Definetely give your support for the school trade programs.

[Travis Porter]

Even if the kids don't become full fledged woodworkers, it is good to learn basic carpentry and construction skills so you can do maintenance and stuff around the house.

I took the academic route in high school, but wanted to take wood shop, but the way it was scheduled, I couldn't do it. I did get to do some in junior high, and I did learn quite a bit. The teacher we had was heavy into jewelry boxes. I remember him showing me some and being amazed at how someone could make that.