Scott Nelson president Woodwork Career Alliance of North America

President’s Message: Thank You Sponsors for Helping Us Make This a Record Year

As the end of the year is quickly approaching, I just want to thank all of the INDustry sponsors and partners for their continued support of WCA. Without their backing we would not be able to offer our future workforce updated education programs and credentialing services. Please try and support those businesses whenever possible.

2023 will go down as WCA’s best year ever! Through November, we enrolled over 1,200 candidates into the Passport program and have issued more than 1,100 credentials. Our retention of high school and postsecondary woodworking programs as EDUcation members and wood products firms as MANufacturing members is maintaining at about 80%.

Hopefully 2024 will see a significant increase of MANufacturing members with the introduction of online employee training modules early next year.

Finally, I’d be remiss not to express my personal thanks to Patrick Molzahn, who will be retiring from Madison College at the end of the year. Patrick was a major mover and shaker for the WCA from the very beginning. His contributions to our cause have been so many and varied. On behalf of the WCA, thank you Patrick and be well!

WCA wishes all an enjoyable Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year!!!

Sincerely,

Scott Nelson
President
Woodwork Career Alliance of North America
snelsonwca@gmail.com

 

National Woods Board

National Woods Board Revs Up to Educate NextGen Woodworkers

This new non-profit organization is developing a scalable curriculum that incorporates the WCA Skill Standards and Passport credentialing system to teach students woodworking skills that will make them workforce ready.

The MiLL

The MiLL in Colorado Springs, Colo., is the inspiration for the National Woods Board’s mission to bring high-caliber curriculum to high school woodworking programs throughout the country.

The woodworking industry’s struggle to recruit skilled workers is a well-documented, decades-old problem.

Case in point, according to a 2021 study by Woodworking Network and the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America, 73.8% of survey participants said it was “very challenging” to hire qualified workers for their manufacturing operations. Making matters even more disconcerting, 57.9% said hiring qualified candidates was “much more challenging” than it had been three years before.

Thomas Allott, manager of Stiles University and chairman of the new National Woods Board (NWB), said not only will the industry’s most deep-seated and biggest universal problem not fix itself the situation promises to only get worse as more and more Baby Boomer woodworkers retire over the next few years.

Allott pointed to what he dubbed “scary employment stats.”

“Our industry has a large concentration of workers between 45 and 65 years of age.” Allott said. “In the next 10 years, a majority of our workforce is likely to retire. It takes four years to educate a student so we can’t wait. We need to start doing something about it now.

“The other crazy thing is there are 8.8 million jobs that are unfilled,” Allott continued. “Ten percent of them are in the wood manufacturing and construction industries. Our industry is dying, if you will, because we don’t have people to fill it.”

Added to those troubling numbers, Allott said the woodworking profession continues to face the “general public’s perception that our industry is old, that there is not a lot of technology, it is not fast paced enough, and it is not evolving. We know that none of that is true. Our industry is automating more and more. Robotics are starting to come into play. Software is driving all of our design and manufacturing processes. We have to do a better job of telling our story and getting people ready to work in this industry because no one else is going to develop the talent for us.”

Enter the National Woods Board
National Woods BoardAccording to its website, “The National Woods Board was created to help face the challenge of labor shortages head-on by making trade education accessible within high schools around the United States, creating career opportunities, and addressing the industry’s workforce needs.”

To achieve its mission, the NWB, which launched last year, seeks to develop curriculum that is scalable for high school woodworking programs regardless of the location or population of their district to teach students the essential skills they need to launch successful woodworking careers. In addition, the NWB seeks to forge strong symbiotic partnerships between the wood products industry and local high school woodshops.

The working model for NWB’s grand plans is The MiLL (Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab) in Colorado Springs, Colo. The MiLL is a well-equipped, 46,500-square-foot training center that opened in 2017. Since its inception, The MiLL has garnered an avalanche of wide-ranging support from woodworking machinery and supply companies. Allott said The MiLL trained 422 students in cabinetmaking, construction, and welding during the 2022-23 school year.

The NWB, Allott said, is not focused on replicating The MiLL’s physical footprint in other parts of the country. Instead, the NWB seeks to help high school woodworking programs maximize their ability to prepare students to be workforce ready based on learning industry standards inspired by the The MiLL’s project-based curriculum.

The curriculum would incorporate the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America’s Skill Standards and Passport credentialing program.

“The WCA is the industry standard for skills evaluation and accreditation,” said Allott, who is a member of the WCA Board of Directors. “It’s the only thing that we have in this industry that’s been consistent for more than 15 years now. That’s our industry standard but we have no way to get students through that industry standard if they continue to build birdhouses. We need to start teaching our students about industry and then be able to credential them. That allows them to go into industry a lot easier and gives the employer the justification that the person they are hiring is a skilled, certified worker.”

“Our industry is made up of two different segments,” Allott said. “We have wood products manufacturers, and we have suppliers. Both segments are struggling to find good, skilled people. The school districts have plenty of students who do not plan to go directly to college, if at all, after they graduate. They will be looking for good paying jobs. What’s missing right now is a scalable curriculum that helps prepare those students for rewarding woodworking careers.

“The National Woods Board would provide the curriculum to local school districts,” Allott continued. “The school districts would partner with their local suppliers and/or woodshops, who would support high school woodworking programs with donations of funds, equipment or supplies. The goal would be to create local ecosystems across the country where students can get hired to a good paying job offered by companies looking for well-trained employees. This is the key that is missing right now and the NWB is the thing that is going to make it happen.”

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NWB Lays Foundation to Take Next Steps
Over this past year, Allott and the NWB board have stepped up their efforts to get the word out and rally industry support and raise funds to help the NWB achieve its goals. Allott recently followed up a presentation about the NWB at the AWFS Fair in July with one at the Executive Briefing Conference (EBC) in September.

“We have a great team in place to make the National Woods Board successful,” Allott said. “The NWB board is special because it is made up of 13 different individuals with different backgrounds. We’re not all woodworkers. We have educators and educational administrators, media pros, business executives, and industry suppliers. We’re a very well-rounded group that takes the various aspects of the industry into account when making decisions.”

The members of the NWB board are Chairman Thomas Allott (supplier), Brian Donahue (supplier), Dean Mattson (educator), Jason Howell (supplier), John LeTourneau (executive coach), Kelly Victor-Burke (manufacturer), Molly Turner (educator), Rob Roszell (media), Scott Robinson (manufacturer), Shane Skalla (educator), Tim Fixmer (media), Tim Kistler (educator), and Amanda Conger (executive director).

2023 has been a busy year for the NWB board. Key accomplishments include:

  • Obtaining status as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This allows donors to write off their financial contributions on their taxes.
  • Updating and expanding information on the NWB’s website: nationalwoodsboard.org. Interested parties can learn more about the NWB, its mission, and its activities.
  • Hiring Amanda Conger to the newly created position of executive director to handle day-to-day responsibilities and help guide the NWB to achieve its goals. Conger has a wide range of industry experience and has made a great number of contacts through her leadership positions with Cabinet Makers Association and the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals.
  • Presenting at major industry events including the AWFS Fair and Executive Briefing Conference. Allott is scheduled to present a keynote address at the 2024 Closets Expo/Wood Pro Expo Illinois next April.

“Now that we have a solid foundation in place, we are developing funding sources to raise at least $100,000 in seed money by September 2024. The funds will be used to modify and update the curriculum for the first of four cabinet programs and to set up a platform to distribute them to high school woodworking programs,” Allott said. “We’ve made some headway.  We’ve had a lot of donations come in and we’re looking into grant opportunities, but we still have our work cut out to get to where we need to be.

“The bottom line is we need industry’s support,” Allott said. “You can’t expect the next generation of skilled workers to come out of nowhere. If we don’t have the support of industry, this will never take off. All stakeholders need to put their money where their mouth is. Everyone agrees that the skills gap is industry’s greatest challenge, but no one is doing anything about it. They’re all waiting for someone else to do it.

“The NWB is here to fill that void,” Allott concluded. “There is no better time to do it than now. We have the curriculum, and The MiLL is proof of the concept. Now all we need is industry’s support.”

Learn more about the National Woods Board and make a donation at nationalwoodsboard.org.

Adria Salvatore Joins AWI as Education Director

Adria Salvatore AWI Education Director

Adria Salvatore

The Architectural Woodwork Institute announced the appointment of Adria Salvatore as its new Education Director. Salvatore brings 17 years of experience at the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS). In her departing roles as AWFS Association Director, she focused on Membership, Association and AWFS Fair Education, and Public Policy.

Salvatore’s responsibilities with AWI include Education Outreach with AWI Chapters; the AWI Speakers Bureau; educational programming for the Annual Convention and Spring Leadership Conference; educational support of AWI standards and compliance; and in general, support and strengthen the architectural industry and AWI members through education.

“We are delighted to welcome Adria to our staff,” said AWI CEO Doug Hague. “She will fill a mission-critical role and help AWI elevate our education programs to new level of service for the architectural woodwork community.”

“I am excited to join the AWI team to support AWI members and our industry through education,” Salvatore said. “It’s clear that education is at the heart of AWI’s mission, and I am proud to help advance that mission.”

Kristine Cox Among AWI’s 2023 Class of Honorary Life Memberships

Kristine Cox Rowland Woodworking

Kristine Cox

Kristine Cox, president of Rowland Woodworking and a member of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America’s Board of Directors, was honored with Honorary Lifelong Membership of the Architectural Woodwork Institute at the AWI’s 2023 convention.

Cox was recognized for spending “her life ensuring the next generation of woodworkers are encourage to move forward. As AWI’s 52nd president in 2017 Kristine headed the association during the completion of the National Training Center in Georgia and major updates to our education programs. Kristine was a member of the AWI Board of Directors from 2013 and 2018. This honoree is a staunch supporter and contributor to the Carolinas Chapter, the local and national SkillsUSA programs, and the Insurance and Safety Committee.”

Three other long-time AWI members received Honorary Lifelong Membership, including:

  • Steve Bialek, who received the most nominations in the history of the award program. “He has given over 40 years of experience to our industry and had a big part in helping mold a lot of the (AWI) Standards that are used today,” said one nominator.
  • Randy Jensen “made standards his life.” As AWI president in 2014, Jensen saw the adoption of the AWS2 standards, the creation of the Chapter Officer Council, and the start of becoming an Accredited Standards Developer Organization under the auspices of the American National Standards Institute.
  • Matt Lundahl, while AWI president in 2012, brought many new AWI programs and benefits to fruition including the Chapter Outreach Education, the Cost of Doing Business Survey online, and a webinar series.

 

 

Woodwork Career Alliance Developing Online Training Courses for Industry

Plans call for the initial courses to be launched in the first quarter of 2024 following beta testing by industry professionals.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America is preparing to beta test the first two modules of a planned series of online courses specifically designed to help train entry-level woodworkers. The courses will also be applicable to experienced industry professionals interested in sharpening their knowledge and skills.

WCA’s Wood Theory course will address properties of wood, wood movement and how to cope with it, lumber measurement and grading, and much more.

The two courses entering test mode are “Math, Measuring, and Layout” and “Wood Theory.” Each module consists of narrated lessons, outside reading assignments, and quizzes. Upon successful completion of each course, the learner will have the background knowledge needed to continue their training on higher level tools and techniques.

The training modules will be vetted by a select group of industry professionals They have volunteered to provide valuable feedback that the WCA can use to improve the courses before they are rolled out for general use.

“Most wood products companies are challenged to develop an effective in-house program to train their new hires,” said Scott Nelson, president of the WCA. “As a result, those employees are not able to maximize their personal potential and value to the company. This often leads to lower productivity and higher turnover rates.

“The WCA’s online training programs are aligned with industry-recognized skill standards, ensuring that participants acquire the skills and knowledge valued by employers,” Nelson added. “The program will be convenient, affordable, and provide a comprehensive and well-structured learning experience.”

“We believe the online courses can serve as an important supplement to in-house training by providing a standardized foundation of woodworking skills and knowledge for new hires,” said Greg Larson, vice president of the WCA and lead developer of the new training program. “This can help ensure that all employees have a consistent understanding of fundamental woodworking techniques, regardless of their prior experience. We want this to be a valuable resource for entry-level woodworkers who are looking to start their careers in the woodworking industry.”

The WCA plans to launch the online training program in the first quarter of 2024. In addition to the two courses undergoing beta testing, others include Woodworking Fundamentals, which covers cabinet construction, shop drawings, panel products, and more, and Milling and Machining, which covers the concept of milling “4 Square” using a jointer, planer, and table saw.

To get on the mailing list to receive updates about the program, email info@woodworkcareer.org.

About the Woodwork Career Alliance
The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America was founded in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The WCA’s mission is to develop and administer a unified set of Skill Standards for the wood products industry. Since 2011, WCA has developed observable and measurable performance standards and assessments for more than 300 woodworking machine operations. In addition, WCA has issued over 6,000 Passport credentials, a portable, personal permanent record documenting each holder’s record of woodworking skill achievements. More than 160 high schools and post-secondary schools throughout North America are WCA EDUcation™ members and a growing number of woodworking companies have joined the WCA as MANufacturing™ members. To learn more about the WCA and how to get involved with its programs, including sponsorship opportunities, visit WoodworkCareer.org.

WMIA 2024 Scholarship Deadline Is Jan. 15

The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association, an association partner of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America, is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program through Jan. 15, 2024.

The program targets any student planning to enroll in a wood science or wood technology program at an accredited two-year or four-year technical school, college or university in North America for the Fall 2024 semester.

Eligible candidates must have graduated from high school or its equivalent before July 1 of the year in which they will use the scholarship. They must also have sufficient academic records to be accepted by an accredited college, university, or technical institute. Students already in college are also eligible to apply.

Judges will consider academic success, interest, special abilities, financial need, and other factors in choosing scholarship recipients. The judges will give consideration to the degree in which the career choice could have an application to the woodworking industry.

Learn more about the WMIA’s scholarship program and apply online.

NOTE: The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) has entered into a merger agreement with the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA). Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the two groups will join together as the Wood Industry Association (WIA). 

 

Fox Valley Tech Grad Earns National Woodworking Award

By Casey Britten

When Pacey Berken chose his final project in the Fox Valley Technical College Woodworking Technology program, he was thinking of his grandparents.

“My grandparents put me through the program, so I figured they should get a little return on their investment,” the 2022 graduate explains. “I wanted to design a chair that would provide them with good back support and be easy to get in and out of.”

He ended up making four chairs total, as well as two matching side tables.

Pacey Burke, a graduate of Fox Valley Technical College’s Woodworking Technology program with his chair that won second place in the postsecondary Seating category at the AWFS Fair.

His project, made from an exotic hardwood called African Sapele, caught the attention of his instructors, Glenn Koerner and Mark Lorge. They encouraged him to enter it in the 2023 Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) Fresh Wood student furniture competition, which took place in Las Vegas in conjunction with the AWFS Fair in July.

Pacey was intrigued. “I looked into it and heard, ‘They pay for your hotel. They pay for your shipping. They pay for your flight.’ Pretty much a free trip to Vegas. I was like, ‘What’s the catch here?’ So, I signed up.”

The competition was fierce. Pacey was one of 142 students from the United States and Canada to apply. Just 40 of those applicants were selected to go to Las Vegas, and Pacey was one of them.

His chair won second place in his category.

The AWFS is a leading wood industry trade association in the United States, representing companies that supply the home and commercial furnishings industry. The AWFS Fair Fresh Wood competition is widely recognized within the industry.

“It’s a tough competition,” explains Korner. “The caliber of projects at this year’s competition was very impressive. Pacey did an exceptional job promoting FVTC and the Woodworking Technology program!”

The original idea for the chair began while Pacey was a senior at Appleton North High School in the spring of 2020. Because of COVID and the shift to virtual classes, he never got the chance to build the Adirondack chair that would have been his final project in shop class. So, when it was time to choose his final project for the FVTC Woodworking Technology program, he immediately thought of a chair.

Pacey chose to study Woodworking Technology while he was taking general education classes at FVTC, originally intending to transfer to UW-Stout to become a tech ed teacher. He explains, “When I found out about the Woodworking Technology program here, I said, ‘Wow, I want to do that!’” and enrolled in the Oshkosh-based program.

It’s clear that he made the right decision.

“I can wholeheartedly say that I enjoyed the program one hundred percent. It is a fantastic learning experience. Mark and Glenn teach you not only how to do it, but the theory behind what you’re doing. And once you learn that theory, it opens a lot of doors, and I enjoy that.”

Pacey currently works at Woodcraft in Appleton, with side gigs like private tutoring, a new venture in a tool-sharpening business, and interning with the Woodworking Technology program.

“I couldn’t say goodbye to that shop and to Mark and Glenn and everything that they do there. It is just a fantastic experience. I cannot say enough good things about the program,” he says.

To continue his internship, Pacey still takes classes at FVTC. “I take classes in topics I’m interested in. The broad spectrum of classes that FVTC offers is nice too. Plus, it’s super affordable and it really feels like the college cares about us.”

Applications Being Accepted for DeWalt Trades Scholarship

Stanley Black & Decker has established the DeWalt Trades Scholarship to assist individuals attending a two-year college or vocational-technical school to pursue 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.

Up to 40 $5,000 awards will be granted.

This program is administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Applicants of the DeWa;t Trades Scholarship award must:

  — Be citizens of the United States or Canada.

— Be high school seniors or graduates, or current postsecondary undergraduate students.

— Plan to enroll or are enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year college or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year

— Majoring in a trade construction, industrial, motor/power sector, mechanics, or technology degree/certificate, which includes but are not limited to the following fields:

  • Automotive Technology
  • Aviation Technology
  • Carpentry
  • Construction
  • Diesel Technology
  • Electrical Technology
  • Fire Science
  • Heavy Equipment Operation
  • HVAC
  • Machinery
  • Manufacturing
  • Pipefitting
  • Plumbing
  • Welding

The deadline to apply is 3 p.m. CT Jan. 17, 2024, or when 1,000 applications have been received.

Learn more about award requirements and apply.

 

Scott Nelson and Lizzy Conley WCA Diamond Credential

Woodwork Career Alliance Awards Diamond Credential to Lizzy Conley

AWFS Fair 2023

Five Students of WCA Affiliated Schools Honored in AWFS Fair Fresh Wood Contest

Gage Day, a student at Corner Canyon High School of Draper, Utah, won Best of Show Award for his Mind Wander table.

Students attending Woodwork Career Alliance EDUcation member high schools and postsecondary schools garnered two first places, two second places and an honorable mention in the 2023 AWFS Fresh Wood student woodworking competition.

Students at Lincoln East High School of Lincoln, Neb., took first and second place in the High School Design for Production category. Ethan Kleen took first place honors for his Designer Chairs for Kids. Ruby Bunisky won second place for The Millera Chair.

Students of Cerritos College of Norwalk, Calif., won two awards as well in the Postsecondary Tables category. Shirley Hsu won first place for her Hug Table while Chip McCarthy earned an honorable mention for his Nautilus Table.

Pacey Berken, a student of Fox Valley Technical College of Oshkosh, Wis., placed second in the Postsecondary Seating category for his Hemispheres chair.

Forty finalist projects from 20 different high schools and colleges were showcased at the AWFS Fair, held last week in Las Vegas.

KCD Software, a Gold Sponsor of the WCA, sponsored the Best of Show Award won by Gage Day, a student at Corner Canyon High School of Draper, Utah, for his Mind Wander table.

PantoRouter, also a Gold Sponsor of the WCA, sponsored the People’s Choice Award won by Zander Doherty of Dos Pueblos High School for his Sam Maloof Inspired Rocker. Doherty’s school will be presented with a PantoRouter machine.

The Fresh Wood 2023 judging panel consisted of Ethan Abramson, Brian Boggs, Lois Snyder, Thomas Tuck, and Jamie Yocono.