The 2023 AWFS Fair is quickly approaching and WCA is preparing for a robust show! This year, our major focus is on helping more wood products manufacturers create or improve their in-house training programs. For starters WCA Board Member Bruce Spitz and myself will conduct a workshop, “Building a Training Program for Your Workers,” 9:30 […]
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 The Fredericksburg Workshop LLC – Fredericksburg, VA Next Step of West Michigan – Grand Rapids, MI New Berlin West Middle & High School – New Berlin, WI […]
Membership benefits include access to online training videos and instructional guides. LINCOLN, Neb. – Wood product manufacturers looking for a solution to recruit, train, and retain skilled production employees should consider becoming a MANufacturing™ member of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA). The WCA MANufacturing membership is designed for forward-thinking woodworking companies willing […]
High School students of woodworking programs in Illinois and Nebraska took top honors in Castle USA’s 2022-23 “What’s Your Angle” student contest. Students of Reed-Custer High School of Braidwood, Ill., won the Class Entry category for a custom kitchen cabinet build. DJ Shaw, a student at Lincoln East High School of Lincoln, Neb., won the […]
According to a 2021 study conducted by Woodworking Network and the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America, nearly three-quarters (73.8%) of participating woodworking representatives indicated it is “very challenging” to hire qualified workers for their manufacturing operations. What’s more, most (57.9%) said the challenge to find and hire good help is “much more challenging” than […]
The iconic Hotel Coronado was the scene of some spirited bidding during the 2023 Woodworking Industry Conference (WIC). A ukulele hand crafted by Jim Laster of Newman Machine Company fetched $3,010 to benefit WCA during the silent auction organized by the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America and the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association. Jim has not […]
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 Elkhorn Area High School – Elkhorn, WI Inclusive Pathways to Success – Vienna, VA Kelly Walsh High School – Casper, WY Kirtland Community College – Grayling, MI […]
After building Madison College’s Cabinetmaking & Millwork program into one of the most prestigious in the nation over the past two decades, Patrick Molzahn has stepped down and handed over the reins to one of his former “star” students. Lizzy Conley, who graduated with a technical diploma from Madison College in 2018, officially became program […]
LINCOLN, Neb. – Representatives of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) will tackle the woodworking industry’s skilled worker shortage from two different vantage points in conference sessions at the AWFS Fair, July 25-28 in Las Vegas. Bruce Spitz, member of the WCA Board of Directors, and Scott Nelson, president of the WCA, will […]
Woodworking instructors affiliated with Woodwork Career Alliance of North America institutions will share their knowledge and expertise in five of the seven education sessions slated for the Teacher Track at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas. The Teacher Track’s sessions cover a variety of topics including woodworking techniques, safety, and curriculum development. Here’s a quick […]