Presidents Message – Congratulations All Around!

This is a busy period for WCA EDUcation renewals, and I’m pleased to report they are coming in at a solid rate. Once again, I would like to thank our outstanding Education Supporters for their generous contributions to the participating schools through our EDUcation Essentials Benefit Package. This year’s donors include Bessey Clamps, CabWriter, Franklin Adhesives, Microvellum, Quickscrews, Rockler, and Veneer Tech.

WCA is ever so proud of tech-ed instructor Staci Sievert of Seymour High School! Staci is one of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools 2021 Teacher Prize for Excellence winners, which includes a $50,000 cash prize. Please read more about her amazing story.

Thanks to WCA Vice President Greg Larson and his committee for their work to add two new student-only credentials: EDU Core and EDU Green. These new credentials create stepping stones between the WCA Sawblade Certificate and the Green Credential, the first level for woodworking professionals. Please read more.

I also want to thank Woodworking Network for partnering with WCA on a benchmark Workforce Development study. None of us were surprised to learn that the North American woodworking industry continues to be immensely challenged to find, train and retain qualified production workers. We appreciate the feedback we received about what more WCA might do to help tackle this huge challenge. We invite all stakeholders to get involved. The more, the merrier.

Finally, I want to recognize Patrick Molzahn for his continued work with publisher Goodheart-Wilcox. The Sixth Edition of the Modern Cabinetmaking textbook will be coming out soon. The content of the text and companion lab workbook correlates to the WCA’s industry credentialing standards. I am excited to get my copy of the new edition.

I hope you all have a great holiday season and stay safe.

Scott Nelson
President
Woodwork Career Alliance of North America
snelsonwca@gmail.com