Entries by Richard Christianson

Award-Winning Program Trains Under-Employed Adults for Woodworking Careers

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Greater West Town Training Partnership has helped prepare 900 people for jobs in the greater Chicagoland woodworking industry. The Greater West Town Training Partnership (GWTP) of Chicago is one of the more unique EDUcation™ members of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America. The program aims to link the education […]

AWFS Webinar Targets Integrating WCA Credentialing in the Classroom

The Association of Woodworking & Furnishing Suppliers presented a March 13 webinar focused on Woodwork Career Alliance accredited skills evaluator training. The webinar featured Patrick Molzahn, of program director of Cabinetmaking and Millwork at Madison College in Madison, WI, ,and Bert Christensen, instructor at Westosha Central High School in Westosha, WI.  The duo provided useful […]

The ‘Canadian Connection’ Featured in Winter Pathways

The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America recently released the Winter edition of Pathways, a quarterly newsletter devoted highlighting woodworking education and workforce development. Highlights include: Meet Mick McGowan: The WCA’s Canadian Connection Read how this veteran cabinetmaker and college woodworking instructor is leading the charge to spark Canadian interest and involvement with the Woodwork […]

Meet Mick McGowan: The WCA’s Canadian Connection

Veteran cabinetmaker and college woodworking instructor is working to launch WCA EDUcation programs in Calgary high schools. Mick McGowan is leading the charge to spark Canadian interest and involvement with the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA). McGowan, an accomplished cabinetmaker, college instructor and member of the WCA Board of Directors, is working on […]

Video: High School Students Learn Business of Woodworking

The need for a younger workforce is prevalent throughout the architectural woodwork industry.  Many students are interested in woodworking, but lack someone who will take the time to assist them in exploring their interest. A video recently distributed by the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) is an inspiring example of how collaboration of an industry supplier […]

NBMDA Sets the Gold Standard of New WCA Sponsorship Program

Strong membership support will help fund workforce development initiatives.   The North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) and 14 of its members have signed on as Gold Sponsors of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA). Their sponsorships will benefit WCA high school and postsecondary woodworking programs in the United States and Canada. […]

Stiles & 3M Team Up to Deliver Sanding Seminar at Madison College

Over three dozen individuals from industry and education attended a recent lunch and learn at Madison College in Madison, WI, sponsored by Stiles Machinery and 3M. Participants learned about how to select proper abrasive types, as well as new technology in wide belt and portable power sanding. Seminar sessions included classroom presentations and machine and […]