Final set for WorldSkills Cabinetmaking Qualifying Trial

Kaydee Walters, a student from Tooele High School in Tooele, Utah, will face 2010 gold medalist Daniel Berrios, from Bethlehem Vo-Tech School in Bethlehem, Pa., in the WorldSkills Cabinetmaking Qualifying Trial July 20-23 at the AWFS fair in Las Vegas. The winner will represent the United States at the 2013 WorldSkills competition in Germany.

Walters won the gold medal for High School Cabinetmaking last month at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Berrios and Walters will compete at the WorldSkills booth in the show’s Central Hall, building a project to showcase their cabinet construction and woodworking skills. Two industry professionals will judge the students’ work, Saúl Martin from Architectural Woodworking Co. in Los Angeles, and Charles Wilson from Charles Wilson Millworks in Cedar City, Utah. The winner will be announced at 11 a.m. Saturday at the WorldSkills booth.

Fifteen AWFS fair exhibitors will support the WorldSkills Cabinetmaking Qualifying Trial with donations of materials, supplies, tools and machinery, including Amana Tool Corp., Bessey Tools North America, Bosch Power Tools & Accessories, Colonial Saw Co., Delta Power Equipment Corp., Dixon Enterprises, Festool USA, Freeman, General International, Powermatic, Joos USA, Kreg Tool Co., Rockler Woodworking & Hardware, Royal Plywood, and Senco Products.

In addition to supplies and tools, some sponsors have invited the student competitors to participate in additional activities during the fair. Bessey Tools will host a meet-and-greet luncheon with the two competitors and Thomas MacDonald, host of “Rough Cuts with Tommy Mac,” the Emmy-nominated PBS woodworking show.

Delta Power Equipment Corp. will give both the winner of the qualifying trial and his or her school a 10-inch table saw with the blade autographed by Scott Phillips, host of “The American Woodshop” on PBS.

“We are extremely excited about hosting this WorldSkills competition as new AWFS fair feature,” said Angelo Gangone, the fair’s executive director. “Skill training is a key topic for our association and everyone benefits from activities that increase visibility of the skilled trades within our industry. I hope that all attendees make a point to stop by the WorldSkills booth to watch these talented young people showcasing their talent.”