Combining Resources for Advancement of the Furniture Trade
Furniture Industry Training Program

A furniture industry-driven training program was created and implemented on February 2009 in High Point, the Home Furnishings Capital of the World™. This workforce training initiative focused on upholstery and sewing training as it’s pilot program.

After successfully completing the pilot program and making all the necessary adjustments that are indicative of a new venture, CRAFT II is on its way. Classes for CRAFT II are scheduled to begin on April 12, 2010.
The training program is sponsored by the CRAFT Team. CRAFT stands for Combining Resources for Advancement of the Furniture Trade. The group was formed in 2007.

Funding for the pilot project was provided through a federal WIRED grant administered by the Piedmont Triad Partnership, with matching (60/40) in-kind contributions from the Guilford County Workforce Development Board, Guilford Technical Community College, and High Point furniture manufacturers.

CRAFT II has been incorporated into GTCC’s Continuing Education Program curriculum through its 12n6 JobNow initiative.

The uniqueness of the CRAFT Initiative is the collaboration of the industry partners, who are competitors. They began collaborating after recognizing the need to work together in addressing their future workforce requirements. These furnishing manufacturers in the High Point area noticed a common challenge in their businesses -- within five to ten years, a majority of their experienced workforce will retire.

Furniture manufacturers remain competitive by consistently upgrading their equipment, computer hardware and software to the latest technology in furniture design and modification, production, marketing, logistics and distribution, inventory control, and operations. The CRAFT Team model was designed to create industry-driven training that is fully comprehensive in addressing the short, intermediate, and long-term workforce requirements of the Furniture Manufacturing Industry. The model provides vital training to increase the skill levels of future applicants and existing employees within identified areas of concentration.

This program was designed to encourage interested job seekers and others that the furniture industry has a strong future. The program prepares applicants for careers working with innovative furniture manufacturers in well paying jobs. Having a trained, skilled workforce strengthens the competitive edge of this industry in High Point and the Triad Region.

Training was held on the High Point campus of GTCC. Completed products are available for sale to the public with all generated funds supporting the program.

CRAFT facts
Members:
• Industry partners are Baker Furniture, Brayton International/Steelcase of High Point, Kreuger International, High Point Furniture Industries and Edward Ferrell/Lewis Mittman.

• Business services group members are Greensboro-High Point- Guilford County Workforce Development Board, Guilford Technical Community College, Guilford County School System, the High Point Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Department of Commerce, High Point Employment Security Commission, North Carolina Department of Labor, Department of Social Services and the High Point Economic Development Corporation.

Upholstery and Sewing Training will begin in April 2010 at the High Point campus of Guilford Technical Community College.

Post-training wages projected to start in the $11-$15/hour range (with a complete benefits package)

Click here to apply for the program