In 1987, a group of experts were selected and charged with analyzing the need for an International Training and Technology Center for Secondary Wood Product Manufacturers in Alabama.

The team was identified as Alabama's Forestry Team.  These members represented the following:

• Alabama International Trade Center at the University of Alabama
• The Forest Products Development Center at Auburn University
• Alabama Forestry Commission
• Alabama Development Office

As the study progressed, it was determined that a large percentage of secondary wood products were produced in Northwest Alabama.  Several training sites were identified as finalists.  Northwest-Shoals Community College at Phil Campbell, Alabama was selected based on location and building availability.

An updated study in 1992 was completed by the Alabama International Trade Center and the Forest Products Development Center regarding the further need for an International Training and Technology Center for Secondary Wood Products.  The need was obvious as the numbers of Alabama (and especially Northwest Alabama) industries, which deal with the secondary wood products, was enormous.  These industries were struggling primarily with labor, machinery, and environmental issues.

In 1994, officials with the Alabama International Trade Center, the Forest Products Development Center, and the Alabama Technology Network, met with Northwest-Shoals Community College leaders to discuss the project.  The need now was extremely critical especially in the light of events concerning the textile industry.

In 1996, the Alabama Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology was established.  The center's main goal has been to develop employee training seminars.

The center consists of two full-time and one part-time employee charged with developing a group of educators and industrialists qualified to give specialized presentations and hands-on workshops. The two full-time staff members each have a specialized background, as does the industry.  One comes from and has a formal education in the forest products primary segment while the second staff member has a background and formal education in the secondary segment and educational training.