Entries by Richard Christianson

WCA President Talks Training, Credentialing and More

The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America heads into the 2020s building on the solid foundation of its Passport credentialing program that is widely recognized throughout the United States and Canada. In a recent free-wielding phone interview, Scott Nelson, president of the WCA, discussed the North American wood product industry’s ongoing challenge to recruit, train […]

Newspaper: ‘Students Learn Real World Skills’ in RCHS Woodshop

The Morris Herald recently published a feature on the Reed-Custer High School (RCHS) woodworking program in Braidwood, IL. The article highlights instructor Mark Smith’s commitment to teaching students not only how to work wood, but the business of woodworking as well. The article notes, “(S)tudents learn business acumen, industry standards and how to network with […]

Welcome New Members & Sponsors!

The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America is pleased to welcome five new EDUcation™ member schools, one new MANufacturing™ member, three new INDustry™ Sponsors. We also welcome back nine sponsors for another year. Thank you for your membership and support! New EDUcation™ Members Canaan Memorial High School, Canaan, VT Hill-McCloy High School, Montrose, MI MakeHaven […]

Young Cabinetmaker Savors WorldSkills Experience

Ethan Harrison calls representing the United States in the international competition a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity.’    “Very, very intense.” That’s how Ethan Harrison described competing in the WorldSkills Cabinetmaking competition held last October in Kazan, Russia. “Every second you had to be doing something and thinking ahead to the next things that had […]

WCA Updates Passport Credentials

The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America has updated its Passport with the latest information about the WCA’s credentialing program and how it works. The updated Passport includes: Overview of the WCA’s more than 300 woodworking skill standards from layout to finishing. Explanation of certification levels beginning with the Sawblade Certificate for students and Green […]

Wisconsin Adds 17 New WCA Evaluators

Seventeen more educators recently completed their Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) Skill Evaluator training at Madison College. These teachers are now certified to award WCA skill points and credentials to their students. While the WCA has evaluators in 23 states and two Canadian provinces, Wisconsin has the highest concentration of Accredited Skill Evaluators (ASE) in North […]

NC Woodshop Teachers Go to Summer School

Woodworking track of the state’s annual Career and Technical Education Summer Conference includes a strong dose of the Woodwork Career Alliance’s credentialing program. Dan Kern, woodworking instructor of Montgomery County high schools in North Carolina, is walking the talk. Not only is the holder of Woodwork Career Alliance Passport #110 employing the WCA skill standards […]