Entries by Richard Christianson

Exit Interview Video with Patrick Molzahn of Madison College

Patrick Molzahn’s days at Madison College’s Cabinetmaking & Millwork program are numbered. Molzahn’s 25-plus years teaching career at the college will officially come to an end Dec. 31 when he retires. He has already turned over the program director’s reins of one of the nation’s most prestigious postsecondary woodworking programs to Lizzy Conley, one of […]

President’s Message: Thank You Sponsors for Helping Us Make This a Record Year

As the end of the year is quickly approaching, I just want to thank all of the INDustry sponsors and partners for their continued support of WCA. Without their backing we would not be able to offer our future workforce updated education programs and credentialing services. Please try and support those businesses whenever possible. 2023 […]

National Woods Board Revs Up to Educate NextGen Woodworkers

This new non-profit organization is developing a scalable curriculum that incorporates the WCA Skill Standards and Passport credentialing system to teach students woodworking skills that will make them workforce ready. The woodworking industry’s struggle to recruit skilled workers is a well-documented, decades-old problem. Case in point, according to a 2021 study by Woodworking Network and […]

Adria Salvatore Joins AWI as Education Director

The Architectural Woodwork Institute announced the appointment of Adria Salvatore as its new Education Director. Salvatore brings 17 years of experience at the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS). In her departing roles as AWFS Association Director, she focused on Membership, Association and AWFS Fair Education, and Public Policy. Salvatore’s responsibilities with AWI include […]

Kristine Cox Among AWI’s 2023 Class of Honorary Life Memberships

Kristine Cox, president of Rowland Woodworking and a member of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America’s Board of Directors, was honored with Honorary Lifelong Membership of the Architectural Woodwork Institute at the AWI’s 2023 convention. Cox was recognized for spending “her life ensuring the next generation of woodworkers are encourage to move forward. As […]

Woodwork Career Alliance Developing Online Training Courses for Industry

Plans call for the initial courses to be launched in the first quarter of 2024 following beta testing by industry professionals.   LINCOLN, Neb. – The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America is preparing to beta test the first two modules of a planned series of online courses specifically designed to help train entry-level woodworkers. […]

WMIA 2024 Scholarship Deadline Is Jan. 15

The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association, an association partner of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America, is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program through Jan. 15, 2024. The program targets any student planning to enroll in a wood science or wood technology program at an accredited two-year or four-year technical school, college or university […]

Applications Being Accepted for DeWalt Trades Scholarship

Stanley Black & Decker has established the DeWalt Trades Scholarship to assist individuals attending a two-year college or vocational-technical school to pursue a trade degree/certificate in an industry aligned with the Stanley Black & Decker Trade Goals – including but are not limited to Construction, Industrial, Motor/Power Sector, Mechanics, and Technology. Up to 40 $5,000 […]