Greg Heuer

11 – Notification Process Copy

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A section of the WCA website will be set up to manage assessment requests and scheduling. An area of the website now permits Candidates to find Accredited Skill Evaluators (ASE) by entering their ZIP code. This ‘store search’ will return a list of Evaluators within a specified radius of that ZIP code. Clicking on the name brings up details about that ASE.

Evaluators will have the ability to manage their calendar online or note that they evaluate by special arrangement or by appointment. The Candidate can contact the ASE of choice to arrange for assessment.

In the event paper/printed assessment form(s) are used, it is the responsibility of the Evaluator to log in to the WCA Registry and post the result to the candidate’s permanent record within 24 hours of the assessment.

When using the electronic iPad app [coming soon], the data is transferred to the permanent record either immediately during the assessment (when connected to the internet via a hot spot), or the next time the digital device is connected. The Evaluator shall ensure this occurs within 24 hours in any event.

NOTIFICATION OF AWARD :: It is vital that Evaluators tell either their Chief or the WCA office when a candidate accumulates enough Points to earn a Credential. Credentials can only be awarded by Accredited Chief Evaluators or the WCA office upon notice and verification of achievements.

Greg Heuer

10 – Recording and Tracking Results Copy

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SPECIAL NOTE: The WCA Registry is evolving. Some of the features mentioned in this training may not be available in the early stages.

There are two ways to record results of an Evaluation:

A – Using a clipboard with a one-page printed assessment form for each operation. These forms are available from the WCA Box source for download. They should be downloaded and printed in advance of the session based on the Candidate’s requested tools/machines/operations.

B – Using the iPad application [coming soon] which can connect directly to the Candidate’s records in the WCA Registry.

Regardless of the technique used for capturing the results of the observation, the Evaluator shall inform the Candidate of the results immediately upon the conclusion of the assessment.

Upon successful completion of the assessment, the Candidate’s evaluation sheet shall be marked and filed by the Evaluator. The official record is held in the Registry database, not the Assessment Sheets or the Passport.

Within 24 hours of the assessment(s), Evaluators are expected to input the data to the Registry.

If NOT using the iPad app, Log in to the WCA Registry [ cms.woodworkcareer.org ] using your unique user name and password. Under the “Evaluator Tools” choose candidates. Use the search box at the top to find your candidate. Enter the results using the button on the far right.

IMPORTANT :: The registry accepts and enters the data immediately. There is no Undo once the data is saved. Should you enter data incorrectly, please contact the WCA office. We will help you correct the records.

Greg Heuer

09 – Fair Observation – Code of Ethics Copy

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The validity of our program and its Passport and Certificates rests directly on the Evaluation team. Evaluations shall be equally and fairly given, and results accurately recorded on behalf of the Candidate, regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status.

A high level of consistency in the interpretation, application, and adjudication of the Skill Standards is vital.

An Evaluator is obliged to observe from a position of clear sight lines without distracting the Candidate or putting oneself in danger.

As a representative of the WCA and an Accredited Skill Evaluator, when you accept the position you are personally subscribing to this Code of Ethics.

Greg Heuer

08 – Candidate Relations Copy

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Evaluators are to take the role of coach rather than the position of an enforcer.

Our role should be to help our candidates succeed and achieve, not to set traps or watch them fail. (There may be instances, when evaluating advanced levels, in which a tool may be intentionally taken out of adjustment to permit the candidate to pass an adjustment-related test.)

The first contact with a Candidate will take the form of a friendly exploration of the goals of the coming assessment(s), the understanding of and comfort level with the Skill Standards to be reviewed, and the assurance that we are working together for success.

An Evaluator will prepare for a session well in advance, both in consideration of the time of the Candidate as well as to show the high level of professionalism we expect of our team. Advanced preparation results in a smoothly executed evaluation session.

As the session begins, continue to support the Candidate with the understanding that an Evaluator can not conduct training to achieve the Level, nor shall the Evaluator give direct hints to the Candidate on how to complete the operation successfully.

Greg Larson

08 – Evaluation Demonstration

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Now that you’ve read about performing an evaluation, we’re going to demonstrate one to give you a better feel for what you’ll be doing. Please watch the short video below showing an actual evaluation and discussing what to watch out for while performing one…

Greg Heuer

06 – Site Readiness Copy

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The evaluation site must comply with the criteria in the Skill Standards.

If an evaluation site is being used for the first time, develop a relationship with the site supervisor. Make contact by phone and, if possible, visit the site prior to the session.

There can be no compromise with regard to safety.

Confirm that any machine used by a Candidate for evaluation is in working order and equipped with any relevant guards or safety devices, dust collection, sufficient lighting, safe footing and clear working access.

It is expected educators and supervisors in industry will be working in a site suitable for evaluation.

Safety – when to STOP an Evaluation

It goes without saying that SAFETY is always a consideration in any manufacturing process. Woodworking , by its very nature, can be hazardous to the woodworker and to others in the vicinity. So, when is an operation unsafe to the point of terminating the evaluation?

A rule of thumb that might be applied to all woodworking operations is this:

If a given operation requires PERFECT execution to avoid mishap, then it is NOT SAFE.

A safe working situation is one that allows for imperfection in execution. It provides protection and/or an escape plan.

Safety should first be addressed by the Candidate in the Pre-Op period. He/she should make sure that the appropriate guarding is in place and that any other required tools or equipment are at hand. The Accredited Skill Evaluator shall confirm the Candidate has done so and is ready to begin, without prejudice or approbation.

Personal Protective Equipment

Safety glasses must be worn at all times.

Face masks, shop aprons or other protective clothing can be used. Restrictive or loose clothing or accessories which may, in the opinion of the Accredited Skill Evaluator, pose a threat to safe execution of the operation shall be modified and/or removed prior to the evaluation.

Guarding

A machine or tool may have a factory-supplied guard, which can be used.

If the standard guard cannot be used, an alternate method of guarding the process must be employed.

If an operation absolutely cannot be done with a physical guard, then the operator must utilize process procedures that “guard” the hands and body through position and technique.

Jigs and Fixtures

By holding the work piece or guiding the tool, jigs and fixtures make the process safer. Hands can be kept away from the cutting tool.

Auxiliary fences, hold-downs, stops and other devices can help control the work piece.

Push sticks and push blocks can be used to keep hands away from the cutting tool.

When to Stop

During the operation, if the Evaluator observes that the Candidate is attempting to complete the operation in a manner that could be deemed unsafe, the Evaluation should be stopped. Incorrect body position, placing the hands in imminent danger from the cutting tool, not using appropriate guarding, restrictive or loose clothing, etc. are all possible reasons. You must be the judge.

Greg Heuer

05 – Scheduling an Evaluation Copy

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If a candidate contacts the WCA to request an assessment, an Evaluator close to the candidate will be identified. If that Evaluator is you, you must decide to accept or decline the invitation.

When you decline you shall notify the Candidate within 24 hours, including your Accredited Chief Evaluator so other arrangements can be made.

When you accept you must contact the Candidate and/or the supervisor of the facility used for the assessments as soon as possible to make an appointment.

Evaluators should select a time which causes minimal disruption to the ordinary routines of the shop/school. If multiple assessments are required, work with the Candidate/s and facility provider to streamline the process.

Multiple assessments (either for several Candidates on the same or similar process, or a single Candidate for several processes) increases the efficiency and benefit to the Candidate and employer and is generally desirable since it reduces the logistical preparation. For example, it takes as much preparation to test one individual as it does for 5 or more.

Educators and supervisors in industry will naturally conduct in-house assessments and scheduling according to their own needs.

Greg Larson

07 – The Evaluation Process

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Evaluations, or assessments; this is where the rubber meets the road, and is the most important responsibility of the Accredited Skill Evaluator. The integrity of the WCA credentialing program depends on the quality of the assessments that we perform. This requires a high level of consistency in the interpretation, application, and adjudication of the Skill Standards. Therefore, it is important that you have an in-depth knowledge of the content of the particular standards that you will be assessing, as well as the evaluation process itself as outlined in the following topics.

Evaluations shall be equally and fairly given, and results accurately recorded on behalf of the Candidate, regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status.

Before You Begin

Below is a list of things to verify or consider prior to assessing a candidate:

  1. Candidate must have an active Individual Membership; no evaluations should be done until they are an active member. There is no way to enter results for a non-member.
  2. Verify that the candidate has passed the pre-requisite Layout and Measurement operations as discussed in Lesson 4.
  3. Verify, in the Registry, that the candidate has enough Assessment Credits to cover the assessments you will be performing.  Remember, each operation at level 1 consumes one credit, and if tested at level 2, one more credit is consumed for a total of two.
  4. Explain the evaluation process to the candidate prior to the assessment.
  5. Confirm the candidate has read the standard(s) on which they will be evaluated and that s/he understands the performance goals and other considerations being observed.

Joint Learning Process

In general, assessments can be regarded as a joint learning process for both Evaluators and the WCA, generating useful and relevant information and knowledge. Evaluation feeds back into a continuous improvement process within the Woodwork Credentials Board and the Woodwork Career Alliance. It is also a systematic process designed to assess the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of policies, projects and programs. Evaluations are a means to an end (not an end in themselves). The objective of this program is the granting of tool points and skill Certificates to woodworking professionals who demonstrate their knowledge and skill via some form of assessment.

The following topics will walk you through evaluation process itself…

Greg Larson

09 – Evaluation Policies and Confidentiality

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Evaluation is voluntary. The Skill Standards may be selected for use without coercion, with equal treatment for all, and with the informed consent of participants in an open process.

In order to receive Skill Points, records in the Registry, and/or Certificates, a candidate must be paid up and in good standing, have purchased enough assessment credits, and must complete all criteria for the selected tool/machine and operation.

  • The Candidate shall acknowledge, by affidavit, that s/he is physically qualified to operate the tool/machine being evaluated.
  • The Candidate shall acknowledge and agree to the terms and policies of the Woodwork Career Alliance and Woodwork Credentials Board Standards and Evaluation programs.
  • The tool/machine used in the evaluation shall be accepted by the Evaluator as in good/safe working condition as a prerequisite to evaluation.
  • The Evaluator shall create and maintain a supportive environment before, during and after the evaluation, which is intended to encourage a successful performance.
  • Evaluators and Candidates shall maintain the security of the Transcript Archive and the records kept therein.

The Evaluator may deny the award of Skill Points(s) to candidates who lack understanding in any subject area in which operators of that tool/machine are expected to have competence, including the stated General Considerations and Pre-Operation criteria.

The Evaluator may, in the event a candidate engages in inappropriate conduct or behavior, reserve the right to take responsive actions, including, but not limited to the following:

  • Reject the application(s) for evaluation and stop the process.
  • Prohibit or preclude a candidate from participation in an evaluation.
  • Prevent a candidate from continuing at any time during an evaluation, including removal of that person from the evaluation site.
  • Invalidate a candidate’s results after evaluation.
  • Issue and enforce any other lesser response to action determined to be appropriate or necessary.

Confidentiality

Records of all Evaluators and Candidates in the program shall be confidentially maintained and protected to the greatest extent possible and practical.

Information supplied by candidates is for the confidential use of the WCA and will not be disclosed to any party without the specific written permission of the individual participant.

Information supplied by schools or employers is for the confidential use of the WCA and will not be disclosed to any party without the specific written permission of the school or employer.

All participants in the WCA programs will be required to sign a WCA release form allowing the WCA to verify a candidate’s status to a Skill Evaluator or Chief Evaluator if requested.

Greg Larson

03 – How Credentialing Works

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WCA Credentials and Certificates are earned by individuals, also known as candidates, by earning skill points and accumulating experience hours in either an education or work setting. Joining the WCA as an Individual Member is a prerequisite to becoming a candidate eligible to pursue credentialing. Originally called the Passport Membership, each candidate receives an electronic ID card for their smartphone as shown at right. In fact, participating in the WCA in any capacity, including working as a Skill Evaluator, requires first joining as an Individual Member. Student candidates must also attend a school that is a current EDUcation Member in order to participate. Employees at any wood manufacturing facility only need to join as an Individual Member to pursue a credential even if their employer is not a MANufacturing Member.

Candidate Records

Purchasing an Individual Membership online automatically creates a record for the candidate in the WCA national database, referred to as the Registry. The candidate is sent an email with their username, typically their email address, and a temporary password. This allows candidates to login at any time to see their own records, and allows Skill Evaluators to see the records of candidates they may be evaluating. A candidate’s record includes their total number of Skill Points, Experience Hours, Assessment Records showing the results of the Tool(s)/Operation(s) they were assessed on, and any Assessment Credits they may have, as well as additional biographical information. You will learn how to log into and use the Registry to enter and locate candidate records in a later lesson.

Candidates have the ability to email a transcript of their achievements to anyone they choose from the Registry at any time.

Skill Points

Candidates earn Skill Points (formerly known as Tool Stamps) by being assessed, or observed, by a Skill Evaluator on a Tool Operation that is contained in the WCA Skill Standards. The Skill Standards encompass well over 100 tools, each of which is broken down into multiple discrete Operations; for example, the Table Saw has 12 different operations, one of which is Tablesaw/Ripping. Each operation has two possible levels, called Level 1 (output oriented) and Level 2 (setup oriented) that a candidate may be assessed on. Being assessed at Level 1 earns one Skill Point, and being assessed at Level 2 earns an additional Skill Point, for a total of two. We will dig deeper into the Skill Standards in the next lesson.

Everyone in the program carries a Personal WCA Passport (Individual Membership) Card. Individuals earn WCA Credentials by accumulating Skill Points in the Passport and by time-on-job experience. Skill Points are earned by demonstrating competence on tool skills defined in the Woodwork Manufacturing Skill Standards, published by the Woodwork Career Alliance. The skill demonstrations are observed by a Skill Evaluator, an individual accredited by the WCA.

Skill Points are only awarded if a candidate passes the operation.

Assessment Credits

In order to be assessed, a candidate must first have Assessment Credits in their Registry account. For each Skill Point that a candidate earns, they are debited one Assessment Credit. Ten free Assessment Credits come with the purchase of each Individual Membership; additional credits may be purchased at the WCA online Marketplace at $5 each. Ten Assessment Credits allows a candidate to be assessed on five tool operations at Level 2, which earns ten Skill Points; enough for a Sawblade Certificate. Credits are automatically deposited in a candidates account when they are purchased online by the candidate. Assessment credits may also be transferred by a candidate, or evaluator, to another candidate’s account using the Registry. Evaluators are not able to enter results for a candidate in the Registry if the candidate does not have enough Assessment Credits to cover the earned Skill Points.

Any time a result is entered for a Tool Operation assessment in the Registry, Assessment Credits are debited according to the level being tested (i.e. Level 2 costs two credits), regardless of whether or not the assessment is passed or failed. If a candidate fails an assessment and the Skill Evaluator enters it in the registry, the credits will be debited, but no skill points awarded. More on this later…

Experience Hours

Candidates can accumulate experience hours two ways; by being a student in a qualified woodworking oriented training program or as an employee in the wood manufacturing industry. Up to 1600 hours of Educational experience may be applied, including woodworking instruction related classes such as math, and internships. Skill Evaluators are responsible for verifying the candidate’s hours and entering them in the Registry; do not enter them if you cannot verify them. If in doubt about whether a candidate’s hours qualify, check with the Chief Evaluator in your region. You will be required to give a detailed description of where and when the hours were earned. While experience hours can be earned anywhere, a student must be attending an EDU member school at the time the credential is awarded.

Credential and Certificate Levels

Click on Chart to Enlarge

The WCA offers one certificate and six credential levels, with the first Core Credential requiring 20 Skill Points and a minimum of 120 experience hours and a written test. The Sawblade Certificate was created to allow high school students who are unable to accumulate enough experience hours to earn a credential to graduate with a certification. This, and the Core Credential are the only levels that requires a written test, which students take online. Students who accumulate enough experience hours in high school, purchases additional assessment credits, and are assessed on more tools, are eligible to earn higher level credentials. Many high school programs allow students to accumulate enough hours to also earn a Core Credential, and most post-secondary programs allow students to accumulate enough hours to earn a Green credential, or possibly even Blue.

Both the Skill Points and Experience Hours are cumulative; each Credential adding to the one above. The Red, Gold, and Diamond Credentials require a practical demonstration of acquired skills, which is custom tailored and related to the candidate’s real world working situation and experience.

The Core, Green and Blue Credentials can be earned by students in a qualified training program, which may include some time in a manufacturing shop or plant. By the time a candidate applies for the Red Credential s/he is assumed to be employed in the industry. In other words, both school and work hours count for the Core, Green and Blue Credentials, but only work hours count above that.

The Core Credential was designed specifically for short term, intensive programs such as workforce training classes, or students in higher level high school woodworking classes. In face, the state of Wisconsin recently changed their rules. In the past, schools could receive compensation for each student that earned the Sawblade Certificate; the new rules require a Core Credential to qualify for compensation. Please refer to the Core Credential summary page for details on the Core Credential requirements.

Summary of Credential Progression:

  • Sawblade Certificate – 10 skill points, >80% on 40 question Sawblade Quiz, and enrolled at a WCA EDUcation™ school.
  • Core Credential – 20 skill points, 120 hours (education and/or work)
  • Green Credential – 30 skill points, 480 hours (education and/or work)
  • Blue Credential – 60 skill points, 1600 total hours (education and/or work)
  • Red Credential – 120 skill points, 3200 total hours employed, skill demonstration
  • Gold Credential – 180 skill points, 4800 total hours employed, skill demonstration
  • Diamond Credential – 240 skill points, 6400 total hours employed, master project

Cost

As mentioned previously, the $55 Individual Membership comes with 10 free Assessment Credits, which is enough to obtain the Sawblade Certificate. The Core level requires 10 additional Skill Points, for a total of 20, which in turn requires purchasing 10 additional Assessment Credits at $5/each. Therefore, a Core Credential costs $55 for the Individual Membership plus $50 in additional Assessment Credits, for a total of $105. A Green Credential requires an additional 10 Assessment credits, for a total of $50, bringing the total cost for a Green Credential to $155; similarly a Blue Credential requires an additional 30 Assessment credits, for a total of $150, bringing the total cost for a Blue Credential to $305. Going up the ladder, the cost is determined by the number of additional assessment credits that need to be purchased.