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 Algoma High School – Algoma, WI Blackfoot High School – Blackfoot, ID Cadott Jr/Sr High School – Cadott, WI Hands On Deck – Green Bay, WI Havelock […]
The cumlative total of Passport credentials issued by the WCA since its inception surpassed 5,000 this year. LINCOLN, Neb. – 2022 was a banner year for the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America. The numbers help tell the story. Through the first 11 months of the year, the WCA: Enrolled 1,419 new candidates in the […]
The National Woods Board has been created to tackle the woodworking industry’s vexxing challenge of recruiting, training and retaining skilled workers, according to Woodworking Network. The National Woods Board was formally announced at the 2022 Executive Brieifing Conference, organized by Woodworking Network in Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado Springs is also home to The Mill, short […]
The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) will host its 13th biennial Fresh Wood student furniture competition at the 2023 AWFS Fair, July 25-28 in Las Vegas. The competition is open to high school and post-secondary students in accredited woodworking or related programs. There is no fee to enter; entry applications will be accepted […]
West Henderson High School instructor Keith Deese likes the ‘flexibility’ of the WCA credentialing program. Editor’s note: The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America issued a record 681 Sawblade Certificates to students enrolled in WCA EDUcation™ member programs during the first six months of 2022. To earn their Sawblade Certificate, students are evaluated on everything […]
His colleagues affectionately call him “Yoda” for the great wisdom and experience he has brought to help drive the WCA programs and initiatives. NELLYSFORD, Va. — Duane Griffiths will step down from the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America’s Board of Directors, but not before the WCA honors him for his many voluntary contributions to […]
In yet another sign of how times have changed, it was social media that brought educator Mark Smith together with Aetna Building Solutions – the company he credits with ultimately saving his high school industrial technology program. Jon Minnaert, president of the Maywood, Illinois-based building materials distributor, was on the hunt for just such a program to […]
Madison College’s Cabinetmaking and Millwork program recently hosted a one-day seminar focusing on solid wood solutions. The all-day seminar featured classroom presentations and live demonstrations. Peter VanDyke of Stiles Machinery kicked off the program by presenting an overview of the rough mill, including machinery options to best fit a company’s needs. Participants then broke […]
Castle USA is accepting entries for its student woodworking contest, “What’s Your Angle?.” until April 15, 2023. Entries will be evaluated based on the overall look and presentation of the project as well as the most effective and innovative use of screw pocket joinery. The use of Castle machinery or products is not required. Contestants […]
The “giving arm” of the Architectural Woodwork Institute, its Education Foundation, has launched a new Institutional Grant Program for schools whose wood programs help prepare students for careers in the architectural woodwork industry. In its inaugural year, the AWIEF awarded $108,000 in grants among six accredited institutions whose programs impact nearly 1,000 students. AWIEF’s new […]