Our Mission

Founded in 2007, the mission of the Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) is to support workforce development for the woodworking industry, which includes certification and training of new and existing woodworking professionals as well as students at both the high school and post secondary levels.

Between 2004 and 2009, the U.S. Forest Service, through the Wood Education and Resource Center, provided a series of grants to the Architectural Woodwork Institute(AWI) to determine the need for a unified set of Skill Standards for the Wood Industry. Early meetings confirmed that need, and AWI was chosen to oversee the development of standards. That led to the creation of the Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) in 2007. The 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

For the first time, woodworking students and professionals can earn an industry approved and recognized credential based on observable, measurable standards and evaluations. Every participant in the program starts by purchasing a Passport that will record their achievements as they move through the process.

Learn more about how it all works…