Entries by Richard Christianson

36 Ways to Partner with Your Local School’s Woodworking Program

The North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) published “How Can Distributors Partner with Local Schools.” The hand-out was authored by Mark Smith, former woodworking instructor at Reed Custer High School in Braidwood, Illinois, and now Brand Ambassador for Microvellum as well as chairman of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America’s Education Committee. Smith […]

President’s Message: WCA’s Online Training Courses Now Available

I am pleased to report that the WCA recently launched a series of online training courses designed to provide a foundational understanding of woodworking for new employees. This new initiative aims to help wood manufacturing companies overcome the challenges of in-house training and accelerate their new hires’ productivity. The courses might also be of benefit […]

Welcome New Members & Sponsors!

The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America is pleased to welcome the following new members and renewing sponsors. Thank you for your membership and support! New EDUcation™ Member Coe-Brown Northwood Academy – Northwood, NH New MANufacturing™ Members: The Scobis Company – Chesterfield, MO UDI – Rogers, AR INDustry™ Gold Sponsor Renewals Grizzly Industrial — Bellingham, […]

How Avery Pipkin’s Woodworking Program is Crafting Career-Ready Students

Using the Woodwork Career Alliance’s credentialing program helps guide students from basics to advanced skills.   At Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough, North Carolina, the woodshop is a serious career and technical education (CTE) program where students have the opportunity to become industry-ready woodworkers. At the helm is Avery Pipkin, a teacher whose own […]

Woodwork Career Alliance Launches Online Courses to Address In-house Training Challenges

These courses are designed for new woodworkers but also contain valuable information for more experienced employees.   LINCOLN, Neb.—The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) announces the launch of a new series of online training courses designed to provide a foundational understanding of woodworking for new employees. The initiative aims to help wood manufacturing […]

CMA Awards Scholarships to Four High School Woodworking Students

The Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) announced the recipients of its 2025 Scholarship Program, an initiative designed to support the next generation of woodworking professionals. Each recipient received $1,000 to further their endeavors in woodworking, cabinetry, or related skilled trades. This year’s scholarship recipients are: Austin Alexander – Iberia High School (Nominated by Mikey Patro, M.R. Patro […]