The results of a new survey by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools found that 52% of skilled trade instructors do not know if their school/district has a plan in place to find a replacement for them and maintain their program when they leave their position. An additional 21 percent said there is no such plan. […]
2025 has been a very good year for WCA. Our Passport Credentialing Program produced record numbers of credentialed students, continuing a post-covid-era trend. We are on track to exceed awarding over 1,600 Credentials to our secondary and post-secondary students in 2025. We continued to advance WCA’s industry outreach and visibility through the issuance of press releases […]
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™ Members Weyauwega Fremont High School – Weyauwega, WI Wonewoc-Union Center High School – Wonewoc, WI New MANufacturing™ Members Anne River Cabinetry – Happy Valley, OR New INDustry™ Gold […]
Operating out of a former Kindel Furniture factory in Grand Rapids, Next Step of West Michigan is not only training adults and students to become woodworkers, it’s helping them build better lives. Founded in 2008, Next Step is a subsidiary of Mel Trotter Ministries. Working together, Next Step and MTM focus on soft skills […]
The Wood Industry Association (WIA) is separately seeking nominations for its inaugural James Scarlett Memorial School Grant Program and its long-running WIA Scholarship Program. The deadline to apply for each of the programs is January 31, 2026. About the Scarlett Grant Program The WIA launched the James Scarlett Memorial School Grant Program to honor the […]
By Amanda Conger Executive Director National Woods Board 2025 was a pivotal year for the National Woods Board (NWB). What started as a bold idea—to make high-quality woodworking education accessible, modern, and industry-driven—has evolved into a proven model that is gaining momentum across the country. I’m excited to share where we are with our program, […]
The Architectural Woodwork Institute Educational Foundation (AWIEF) is accepting applications for student scholarships and woodworking education program grants. The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is January 31, 2026. The deadline for Academic Grant Program applications is March 31, 2026. AWIEF Scholarship Program AWIEF allocates funds to a yearly scholarship fund, ensuring deserving students receive the […]
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 […]
Kristine Cox, vice president of administration for Rowland Woodworking, and a member of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America’s Board of Directors, was recently honored as a “Market Leader” by Woodworking Network. The award recognizes Cox not only for her work at R0wland Woodworking alongside her husband Jeff, but also for her dedicated efforts […]
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 […]