LINCOLN, Neb. — The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) has elected Kelly Victor-Burke, co-owner of Burke Architectural Millwork (BAM), to its board of directors. Victor-Burke, a leading entrepreneur and advocate for woodwork manufacturing, co-founded BAM in Livonia, Mich., along with her husband Barry in 2016. BAM is Michigan’s first WBENC Certified Women’s Business […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers can apply for a total of $1.5 million in cash prizes starting today. Since 2017, more than $9 million has been awarded to 158 skilled trades teachers and their programs. The deadline to apply for the 2025 prize is Friday, May 2. Teachers […]
Everyone involved with the woodworking industry knows this great profession is facing a critical challenge: a persistent shortage of skilled labor. This skills gap threatens the growth and sustainability of the industry as a whole. But not all industry stakeholders know there’s a solution on the horizon: The National Woods Board (NWB). This non-profit 501(c)(3) […]
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) is proud to announce the establishment of the Cabinet Makers Association Scholarship Fund (CMASF), a new initiative aimed at supporting individuals aspiring to build a career in the woodworking industry. This fund provides valuable financial assistance to those pursuing woodworking-related education or training. To be eligible […]
The Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) announced that the official rules and information for the 2025 Fresh Wood Student Competition are now available online. The biennial event, which takes place July 22-25 at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas, invites U.S high school juniors and seniors, plus post-secondary students in woodworking or related […]
2024 was a year of significant growth for the WCA. Key highlights include: Increased Program Enrollment: We enrolled 1,800 candidates in our Passport program and issued over 1,500 Credentials, reflecting the increasing adoption of WCA Skills Standards by member schools. Expanded Industry Partnerships: We connected with 30 school districts with woodworking programs at the ACTE […]
The WCA’s newest member benefit helps schools upgrade or expand their woodworking courses. LINCOLN, Neb. – The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) is excited to announce a new program that offers significant discounts on industry-leading products to its member schools. This initiative aims to help schools upgrade their woodworking shops with professional-quality […]
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 Coon Rapids HS – Coon Rapids, MN East Kentwood High School – Kentwood, MI Engadine Consolidated Schools – Engadine, MI Florence High School, Florence, CO Franklinton High […]
Stanley Black & Decker has established the DeWalt Trades Scholarship to assist individuals attending a two-year college or vocational-technical school who are pursuing a trade degree/certificate in an industry aligned with the Stanley Black & Decker Trade Goals – including but are not limited to Construction, Industrial, Motor/Power Sector, Mechanics, and Technology. This program is […]
Metrica Interiors, a high-end custom woodworking company based in North Hampton, Massachusetts, initiated a new apprenticeship program that combines online training and certification from the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America with on-site experience. The novel training program is chronicled in a article recently published by the Daily Hampton Gazette. Click to read the article.