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President’s Message: Meet Us in Las Vegas!

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 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Our colleague, Greg Larson, vice president of the WCA, will present, “Teaching and Evaluating the Wood Industry’s Skill Standards,” from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 27. Learn more.

We also recently announced our drive to enroll more woodworking companies as MANufacturing members. By becoming a member they can utilize our skills standards and Passport credentialing program, plus gain access to our extensive library of training videos and other instructional materials. Attendees of Tuesday’s workshop qualify to join the WCA as a MANufacturing member for $100, a 60% savings on their first-year membership.

As we move through the remainder of 2023, WCA is creating online training modules that will benefit our MANufacturing members to make their training programs more effective.

We’re looking to build out our MANufacturing membership base during a period of record growth of the number of EDUcation high schools and postsecondary schools. I’m proud to announce that we issued 1,070 credentaisl during this past spring semester. This is an all-time high for the program. Hopefully we will soon see some of these students enter the secondary wood processing industry armed with basic yet essential skills to begin successful careers.

We hope to sign up more high school and postsecondary woodworking programs as EDUcation members in Las Vegas. In fact, instructors affiliated with a variety of WCA institutions will share their knowledge and expertise in five of the seven education sessions slated for the Teacher Track at next week’s AWFS.

Thanks to our INDustry sponsors, we have provided eight woodworking instructors with $850 scholarships to defray the cost of attending AWFS. By being able to attend the show, they can see the latest technology and products, and can network with exhibitors and woodworking professionals to stay in tune with industry’s needs.

As we move through the remainder of 2023, WCA is creating online training modules that will benefit our MANufacturing members to make their training programs more effective.

Please stop by our booth #1377 to learn more about our programs and to discuss how we can help you with your company’s training needs.

Hope to see you at AWFS!

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

AWFS Fair 2023

WCA to Present Workforce Development Solutions at AWFS Fair

Scott Neslon, left, and Bruce Spitz will present “Building a Training Program for Your Workers” at the 2023 AWFS Fair in Las Vegas.

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 discuss how woodworking companies can establish an in-house training program or improve an existing one. Greg Larson, vice president of the WCA Board, will explain the multiple benefits school woodworking programs and professional wood products companies can reap by becoming an EDUcation or MANufacturing member of the WCA.

“Building a Training Program for Your Workers,” is the title of Spitz’s and Nelson’s workshop scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25.

During the workshop, attendees will receive guidance for creating a first-year training template for new hires based on their production shop’s unique needs and incorporating the WCA Skill Standards.

Attendees will also learn how to:

  • Develop a pre-hire test required for job candidates before employment;
  • Identify the knowledge base skills and machine skills required in the first two years of a hire’s employment;
  • Develop a method of training that is best suited for their company and create standard operating procedures to facilitate their training program; and
  • Access quality training resources from the WCA’s extensive library of instructional videos, skill activities, and tests.

Attendees of this program qualify to join the WCA as a MANufacturing member for $100, a 60% savings on a one-year membership.

Larson’s presentation, “Teaching and Evaluating the Wood Industry’s Skill Standards,” is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 27, as part of the Teacher Track.

Greg Larson

A long-time instructor of cabinetmaking at the postsecondary level, Larson will discuss how to implement the WCA’s credentialing system to create and manage a training program in a school or business.

Larson, a WCA chief evaluator, has successfully used the WCA Skill Standards to shape his curriculum and credential students. He will also address WCA EDUcation and MANufacturing membership benefits including gaining access to the WCA’s extensive online library of instructional videos, educational materials, and other training resources to help trainers accomplish their goals faster and better.

Larson’s presentations is one of five sessions on the Teacher Track that will be led by WCA members. Others include:

  • “How to Keep Your Keester Out of Court (and Other Tips from a Veteran Educator)” presented by Patrick Molzahn, long-time former director of the Madison College Cabinetmaking & Millwork program, and founding member of the WCA Board of Directors, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25;
  • “Marketing Your Program — Are You Getting Anyone’s Attention?” presented by Mark Smith, woodworking instructor of Reed-Custer High School, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25;
  • “Shop Safety in Education” presented by Reuben Foat of the Cerritos College Wood Manufacturing Department, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26; and
  • “Building Trades into Education: Bridging the Skills Gap Through Collaboration” presented by Molly Turner and Peter Lutz, woodworking instructors that are part of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 27.

Learn more and register at awfsfair.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 5,000 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.

Mimbus to Participate at AWFS Fair with WCA

CHICAGO — Mimbus Inc., a creator and distributor of immersive simulators for manual skills training, announced its planned participation at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas, taking place July 20-23.

Mimbus Inc. will showcase its immersive solutions 100% dedicated to training for the woodworking industry at booth #1979.

Visitors to the WCA booth will experience live demonstrations of the Virtual Reality solution SimSpray for wood painting, get exclusive insight into the latest features of the Wood Ed products for carpentry training, and learn how the software Vulcan by Mimbus can analyze in real-time the assessments of professional training to better control the training experience and ensure trainee skill achievement.

“We very much look forward to participating in the AWFS Fair 2021 in Las Vegas. It will be the first trade show this year where our team will participate onsite again,” explains Sebastien Bru, head of Mimbus Inc. “We will be present thanks to the support of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America, a trustful partner for several years now, committed to improving skilled trade training development, like us.”

Members of the Woodwork Career Alliance will be on hand to discuss how woodworking companies can incorporate the WCA Skill Standards and Passport credentialing program to strengthen their training programs.

“We greatly appreciate our ongoing partnership with Mimbus,” said Scott Nelson, President of the WCA. “Virtual reality is a tremendous tool for instructing students and new employees on the safe operation of equipment used in our industry. I encourage educators and woodworkers attending the show to stop by the booth and see the potential of these systems first-hand.”

The AWFS Fair brings together the entire home and commercial furnishings industry, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, plastics, lumber, construction materials, and other suppliers to the furniture, cabinet manufacturers, and custom woodworkers.

Additional information about the AWFS Fair 2021 is available at awfsfair.org.

About Mimbus Inc.
Founded in 2011, Mimbus revolutionizes vocational training, by providing the instructors with innovative tools allowing to train their students faster, in a totally safe way, and with lower costs. Specialized in the learning of manual skills, Mimbus offers a range of nearly 15 virtual training solutions covering the learning of about 20 manual trades, all of them connected to VULCAN, the unique platform that tracks, controls, and adapts the student learning path for more efficient training. Mimbus is a French company with a subsidiary based in Chicago, Illinois. mimbus.com

About the Woodwork Career Alliance
Founded in 2007, the mission of the Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) is to support workforce development for the woodworking industry, which includes certification and training of new and existing woodworking professionals as well as students at both the high school and post-secondary levels. Woodworking students and professionals can earn an industry-approved and recognized credential based on observable, measurable standards and evaluations. Every participant in the program starts by purchasing a Passport that will record their achievements as they move through the process. woodworkcareer.org

Scott Nelson president Woodwork Career Alliance of North America

President’s Message: Bring on the AWFS Fair!

2021 continues to move forward at an improved rate and candidates/students are entering the system at similar to pre-pandemic numbers, 322 so far this year. With most students now back-to-face to face learning, WCA EDUcation instructors are conducting evaluations to complete the testing process prior to the end of the school year.

It will be nice to get back to normal next school year!

AWFS 2021 is quickly approaching and for me, it cannot come fast enough. I am truly looking forward to seeing all of our Great Supporters who have stayed with us this trying year!  WCA will be conducting a workshop for manufacturing companies which will concentrate on creating and maintaining an in-house training program for new and existing employees.

Please come visit us at our booth 1979 and see how we may help you!

Read about WCA’s plans for the AWFS Fair and more in this issue of Pathways.

Stay safe & see you in July.

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

Woodwork Career Alliance Revs Up for AWFS Fair

The WCA is all in for the Vegas woodworking show to discuss its programs and industry best practices for developing a skilled workforce.

 

LAS VEGAS – The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America immensely looks forward to reconnecting with the wood products industry at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas, July 20-23.

“We are thrilled to participate at the AWFS Fair,” said Scott Nelson, president of the WCA. “I imagine the show will feel like a big industry reunion. It’s going to be great to meet new people and to catch up with industry friends and supporters we haven’t seen since before the pandemic. I’m also excited about being able to discuss some of the new programs we’re working on for school woodworking programs and professional woodworkers.”

One of the newest programs WCA will showcase is its online training for accredited skill evaluators (ASE). The online platform allows woodworking instructors to schedule their ASE training and testing at their convenience saving them both time and travel costs. Since its soft launch last fall, 32 teachers from 13 states have enrolled in the online ASE training program.

“The biggest benefit for instructors far and away is the ability to get trained anywhere in the world and at their own pace,” said Greg Larson, vice president of the WCA. “We’ve also added more material to the training session, so it’s more in-depth. This will help us grow the number of WCA EDUcation programs throughout the U.S. and Canada that educate students using WCA’s woodworking industry-recognized skill standards. That’s a major benefit for the industry that is desperate to find qualified candidates.”

SimSpray VR

Visitors to the WCA’s booth can put their spray finishing skills to the test by using the SimSpray virtual reality apparatus.

Nelson and Bruce Spitz, a member of the WCA Board of Directors and former owner of Classic Millwork & Products, will co-present a workforce development workshop: Building a Training Program for Your Workers. The nuts-and-bolts session is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 22. Attendees will actually create training a template based on their production shop’s unique needs. They will also learn how to develop new employees for their first two years both in knowledge-based skills and machine-based skills.

Just for fun, the WCA invites all AWFS Fair participants – attendees and exhibitors alike – to put their spray finishing skills to the test. The SimSpray virtual reality finish training apparatus will be ready for all challengers in the WCA’s booth.

WCA representatives will be on hand to discuss its industry-recognized skill standards and credentialing programs for students and professionals.

Be sure to stop by the WCA’s booth #1979. Learn more at 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 3,500 Passport credentials, a portable, personal permanent record documenting each holder’s record of woodworking skill achievements. More than 140 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.

President’s Message – Virtual Reality Demos, Silent Auction, WCA 4.0, ASE Training on WCA’s Busy AWFS Fair Agenda

This edition of Pathways is laden with news and features previewing the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America’s plans for the 2019 AWFS Fair taking place next week at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

For starters, we still have a limited number of slots open for our WCA Accredited Skill Evaluator (ACE) Trainings at the show. The three-hour trainings will take place at our Booth #10268 during the following dates and times:

Wednesday, July 17
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 18
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Friday, July 19
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 20
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

You may register by contacting me at snelsonwca@gmail.com. WCA and AWFS are partnering to offer a SHOW SPECIAL PRICE of $150 per evaluator, which is a savings of $100. Remember this also includes a one-year subscription to WCA for your school or company.

WCA is also involved with three free workshops during the show. Patrick Molzahn, director of Cabinetmaking at Madison College and author of Modern Cabinetmaking, will present: “WCA – What’s in It for Me?” 1:30pm-3:00pm Wednesday, July 17 and “Finding, Training & Retaining Workers,” 11:30am–1:00pm Thursday, July 18. Patrick and I will co-present “Building a Training Program for Your Workers,” 3:30pm-5:00pm Friday, July 19. Check out the conference schedule on awfsfair.org to learn more details and to register.

Please stop by our booth and try your hand at the Mimbus virtual reality simulators. The Wood-Ed Table is a four-in-one system that can be used to teach students and novices how to operate basic woodworking machinery in a safe, dust-free environment. Visitors to WCA’s booth will have an opportunity to don a VR headset and try out one of the Wood-Ed Table’s four woodworking machinery simulation modules: bandsaw, ripsaw, jointer or shaper. 

Simspray is a virtual reality apparatus that replicates a spray booth allowing trainees to learn the fundamentals of applying a wood coating using a hand-held spray gun. Simspray not only eliminates the cost of finishing materials, it removes VOC emissions from spray operator training programs. Attendees will be able to test their spray skills virtually finishing wood parts.  Virtual reality is a tremendous tool for instructing students and new employees on the safe operation of equipment used in our industry.

WCA will be introducing our new pilot program WCA 4.0, focused on training and accrediting machine operators who work in cell-based manufacturing environments.  The WCA invites owners and managers of wood manufacturing companies to engage in face-to-face discussion about how WCA 4.0 can help them develop a skilled and stable workforce.

Thanks a bunch, to AWFS and Expo Auctions for organizing a special silent auction to benefit the WCA. Net proceeds of this fun event will allow WCA to further its workforce development and industry outreach programs. More than 80 sports and entertainment collectables, excursions and mother items are available now for online bidding. Even if you are not attending the show, you can still join the auction online and support the WCA!

Lastly, I am very happy to share that the WCA credentialed over 280 candidates this spring and our membership continues to grow on all fronts: Education, Manufacturing and Industry supporters. If you’re going to the show, be sure to visit us at booth #10268. Let’s discuss how we can work together to develop and grow a skilled woodworking workforce.

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

AWFS Fair Auction Opens; Supports WCA’s Workforce Development Programs

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Early-bird bidding opens. Enjoy an all-new online experience with the AWFS Fair Silent Auction benefitting the Woodwork Career Alliance.

NELLYSFORD, VA – A helmet signed by four-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady, guitars autographed by Jimmy Buffet and Ted Nugent, and a South African safari excursion are among the many and diverse items that will be auctioned during the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas.

The silent auction is presented through the special collaboration of Expo Auctions of Sugar Hill, GA, and the Association of Woodworking & Furnishing Suppliers (AWFS). Net proceeds will benefit the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and growing a skilled woodworking workforce. 

Separate silent auctions will take place on each of the first three days of AWFS Fair, Wednesday July 17 through Friday July 19. Show attendees and exhibit personnel will be able to view most of the auction items displayed on tables located in the concourse between the two entrances of the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. These and other auction items – more than 80 in all – are available now for early online bidding. Expo Auctions’ mobile bidding platform allows bidders to participate from anywhere in the world using their smartphone. 

Expo Auctions’ treasure trove of interesting and curious auction items will also include an assortment of popular sports, entertainment and historical memorabilia; VIP trips to Tuscany, Belize and St. Thomas; and spirit and wine packages.

As Easy as 1, 2, 3
To participate in the silent auction and review all auction items:

  1. Visit the official auction website BidEarlyBidOften.com or text SILENT AUCTION to 56651.
  2.  Register your mobile phone number, email and name.
  3. Bidding closes at each day on July 17, 18 and 19 at 3 p.m. PST.

Text notifications will be sent to bid winners at the close of each day’s auction communicating payment options and pick up. Winning bidders, including those not attending the AWFS Fair, will be charged for shipping their merchandise if required. 

“We are pleased to provide a channel through the AWFS Fair to support the Woodwork Career Alliance and its efforts to strengthen and develop skill standards and a skilled workforce for our industry,” said Adria Salvatore, AWFS education and conference director. “We hope to raise funds from this auction so that WCA can help expand school programs, allow more students and professional woodworkers to earn their skill credentials, and provide more resources for teachers to connect with our industry.”

 “AWFS has been a fantastic supporter of the Woodwork Career Alliance over the years,” said Scott Nelson, WCA president. “We deeply appreciate that the WCA has been designated to receive the net proceeds of this fun fundraising program. As a not-for-profit organization, we greatly appreciate this support to us connect with more schools and woodworking companies to develop the next generation of skilled woodworkers.”

Learn more about the WCA and its skill standards and credentialing programs at AWFS booth 10268 or visit woodworkcareer.org.

Bid Early Bid Often

 

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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 more than 2,500 credentials, a portable, personal permanent record documenting each holder’s record of woodworking skill achievements. More than 100 high schools and post-secondary schools throughout North America are WCA EDUcation™ members. To learn more about the WCA and how to get involved with its programs, including sponsorship opportunities, visit WoodworkCareer.org. 

Mark Smith ‘Casts a Vision’ to Support His Woodshop Program

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 This veteran woodworking instructor discusses the multiple benefits
of marketing his program.

Mark Smith isn’t bashful about tooting a horn loud and often to call attention to his high school woodworking program.

“I’ve learned that you have to cast a vision of your program outside your classroom so that the superintendent, school board, community and local industry sees what you are doing and after a while they get it,” says Smith, woodworking instructor of Reed-Custer High School in Braidwood, IL. “Not blowing their horns is probably the biggest mistake woodworking teachers make. When the money crunch happens, no one wants to keep their program off the block because no one knows what they are doing.”

To cast a vision of his program, Smith regularly sends out press releases and posts them to several popular social media channels.

“I’ll put out a press release at least once a month,” Smith says. “It might be about a material donation to our program or about one of our students getting an internship. I then post the release on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. After a while, if you don’t know what’s going on with our program, then you’re probably not using any of those platforms.”

Over the years, Smith has built up a press release database that now numbers nearly 500 strong. Contacts include local media, national woodworking publications, industry and private supporters, school district administrators, school board members and anyone who expresses interest in keeping informed about what’s going on in his classroom. In addition, Smith has amassed some 6,000 LinkedIn connections, 600 Facebook friends and 575 Instagram followers.

Recent PR Examples
With approximately 100 students enrolled in one of his seven woodworking classes structured around the Woodwork Career Alliance’s Skill Standards, Smith never runs out of things to promote.

In one of his recent press releases, Smith publicized a gaming chair designed and fabricated by a student in his program. The LinkedIn post succinctly summarizes the student’s accomplishment.

“This RCHS Industrial Technology student designed in AutoCAD, toolpathed in Mastercam, and machined on our Thermwood Model 43 CNC Router this no hardware, knock down gaming chair for his independent student class.”

The post ends with this call to action, “Looking for future skilled employees? Contact us and begin building a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Another press release pays homage to Reed-Custer’s EDUcation™ membership in the Woodwork Career Alliance. (Smith, is a member of the WCA Education Committee and participated in developing the WCA’s Skill Standards.) Again, the cut-to-the-chase LinkedIn post reads, “Franklin International and Woodwork Career Alliance Support Reed-Custer High School’s Industrial Technology Program with Glue Donation.” The post includes a photo of a Reed-Custer student holding up a container of Franklin glue and concludes with this plug: “Industry supporters make it possible to offer great educational opportunities to our students. You can visit http://rchsit.weebly.com/program-supporters.html to see all of our industry supporters. If you would like to support the industrial technology program at RCHS, contact us at: mark.smith@rc255.net.”

Taking the Stage at AWFS Fair
Smith was gearing up to deliver multiple seminar presentations in the Teacher Track at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas when he was interviewed for this article. “Marketing Your Program – How to Get Started!” is the title of one of his sessions set for 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 19.

The presentation will cover why and how to market an educational woodworking program, including how to write press releases, leverage free social media channels and making industry connections.

“One of the premises of my presentation is that no one is ever thanked too much,” Smith says. “Because people donate stuff to support our program, I make sure that we thank them in numerous ways. Of course, I send them an email thank you, but I also mail out a certificate of appreciation. If any of our recent donors are exhibiting at the AWFS Fair, I plan to stop by their booth and hand them the certificate in person and arrange for a picture to be taken. That becomes the basis for a press release.

“The second premise is the importance of networking. Way back in 2000 I was attending a regional woodworking show in Milwaukee and met Jerry Finch, then a woodworking instructor at Oshkosh College. “Jerry became a mentor of mine. He taught me the importance of promoting your program and the skills of your students. He altered the course of my professional career. Now I tell my students all the time that you can be the best in the world in something, but if nobody knows it, how are you benefitting? How are you creating opportunities to expand your horizons?”

To illustrate his point about the importance of casting a vision for his program and networking, Smith says, “It really all comes down to making connections and getting your name out there. Ultimately people are sitting in a meeting somewhere and the topic comes up of starting a woodworking internship program, donating excess material or partnering with a local school on a training program. There’s a good chance that someone will raise his or her hand and say, ‘I know this guy named Mark Smith who teaches woodworking at Reed-Custer High School. He’s always sending me stuff about his students’ projects. Let’s work with him. Let’s help his kids.’ A lot of time that’s how it works. It’s just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. If you are always casting your vision, networking and putting your students out front, eventually opportunities will present themselves.”

Measuring Success
“I measure success of my marketing program in multiple ways,” Smith says. “One way is how many of my students go into industry. Every year we have kids who begin careers with woodworking companies and others who participate in internship programs. I love the woodworking industry and I’m proud that so many of the kids I teach do so, too.

Smith says a second measurement for gauging success of his promotional efforts “is the number of industry professionals who are willing to come in and talk to the students about their careers or talk about their products. Every year we get several. It’s a big deal because these people are busy.”

“I think when a company is willing to give technical support, a material donation or whatever, that it is another indicator of success,” Smith continues. “I think the list is more than 100 items long of what we have received from industry. That’s kind of a badge of honor for us because if someone is willing to give us something of value, then we must be doing something right.”

“Yet another important indicator is how the school administration and school board view our program. If they view what we are doing positively, then that’s a huge plus because they don’t have the time to come down and see for themselves.”

Free Advice
Smith is happy to share his experiences to help other teachers more quickly establish a successful marketing program. But he doesn’t have a lot of time to deal with those that whine they don’t have the time to do so.

“When I talk to a teacher who says, ‘I don’t have time for that,’ I think maybe they need to get more efficient or better organized because I think you have to have an extra two hours over the course of a month. I think they see all of the things that I’m doing and think, ‘Holy cow, that will take me five years just to set all of that up.’ And it’s true. You have to slowly develop and build it as you have time.

“I have to remind them that what I’m doing wasn’t built in a day. I’ve built my marketing program over 20 years, really since the time I met Jerry Finch. He talked to me about how to do these things and I started to do them. I started with press releases with a small list and over time, I built that list adding one contact at a time. After a while it takes on a life of its own because the kids help me do it. Sometimes the kids put together the press release or sometimes I use one of their pictures. It really becomes a team effort.”

President’s Message: Evaluator Training at AWFS Fair; WIC Auction Is Music to Our Ears

The AWFS Fair in Las Vegas is now less than three months away.  WCA, with the help of our friends at the Association of Woodworking & Furnishing Suppliers, will once again offer Accredited Skill Evaluator training for woodworking educators and industry trainers during the show.

The three-hour trainings will take place at the WCA’s booth #10268 at the following times:

Wednesday, July 17
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 18
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Friday, July 19
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 20
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Only four seats are available for each session and several of them have already are already spoken for. To make sure you don’t miss out, I recommend that you register ASAP by contacting me at snelsonwca@gmail.com.

As an added inducement, WCA and AWFS are offering a SHOW SPECIAL PRICE of $150 per evaluator, which is a savings of $100. The registration fee also includes a one-year subscription for your school or company to be an EDUcation™ or MANufacturing™ member.

The training sessions will include an overview of the WCA Skill Standards and demonstrations of how to evaluate a student’s or employee’s proficiency to perform a woodworking task or setup and safely operate a machine. Those who successfully complete the training session will be certified as an Accredited Skills Evaluator and be able to reward students or employees with credential points.

WCA is also involved with three free 90-minute workshops during the show.

Patrick Molzahn, director of Madison College’s Cabinetmaking & Millwork program, will present WCA – What’s in It for Me at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17.

Patrick will also present Finding, Training & Retaining Workers at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 18.

Finally, Patrick and I will co-present Building a Training Program for Your Workers at 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 19.

A Hearty Thank You
I am very pleased to announce that the Live Auction held during the annual Woodworking Industry Conference raised $3,300 for WCA’s Education Fund. I would personally like to thank Jim Laster of Newman Machine for making and donating a beautiful ukulele and Michael Burdis of James L. Taylor Mfg. for being determined to buy Jim’s masterpiece for $3,000!

Thanks again to the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America and Woodworking Machinery Industry Association, organizers of the WIC, for supporting the WCA!

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

Woodwork Career Alliance to Present Three Free Seminars at AWFS Fair

Patrick Molzahn receives the first ever Diamond credential from Scott Nelson, president of the WCA at IWF 2018.

Patrick Molzahn, left, director of the Cabinetmaking & Millwork program at Madison College, and Scott Nelson, president of the WCA, will co-present a seminar on workforce development at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas. 

Representatives of the WCA will share ideas for developing a skilled woodworking workforce.

 

Nellysford, VA — Owners and managers of woodworking businesses challenged by a low number of job applicants and/or high employee turnover rate are encouraged to attend free College of Woodworking Knowledge seminar sessions featuring the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America at the AWFS Fair, July 17-20 in Las Vegas.

The WCA is scheduled to participate in a pair of free seminars of the fair’s Culture & Workforce Track and one free seminar in the Teacher track.  The sessions include:

WCA – WIIFM: What’s In It For Me?
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17
Presenter: Patrick Molzahn, director of Cabinetmaking & Millwork, Madison College and secretary of the WCA
Whether you are in education or in industry, this session will provide ideas that you can use to implement the Woodwork Career Alliance credentialing system to create and manage a training program in your school or business. The presenter, who has used the WCA Skill Standards to shape his curriculum, will demonstrate how to improve your training program and discuss how members can take advantage of the WCA’s online library of videos, educational materials and other training resources to help you accomplish your goals faster and better.

Finding, Training and Retaining Workers
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, July 18
Presenter: Patrick Molzahn, director of Cabinetmaking & Millwork, Madison College and secretary of the WCA
Where are all the workers? If only I could find someone with skills. These millennials just don’t have the work ethic we expect. Does this sound familiar? In a tight labor market, you need to get creative. This seminar will provide strategies to overcome many of the challenges you face recruiting and retaining quality employees.

Building a Training Program for Your Workers
3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 19
Presenters: Scott Nelson, president of the WCA & Patrick Molzahn, director of Cabinetmaking & Millwork, Madison College and secretary of the WCA
Are you looking to create you own in-house training program? This ‘nuts & bolts’ session will show you how to get started and how you can access ready-made resources to make the job easier. The presenters will discuss how to assess new candidates on layout and measurement and how to customize your training template. Come to this session to learn:

  • How to access quality training resources;
  • How to develop and structure a training plan – including creating a template; and
  • The benefits of doing in-house training.

In addition to those three free seminars, instructors of two WCA EDUcation™ institutions will present sessions in the Teacher track. John Stearns of the MiLL is scheduled to talk on Classroom Tool Safety, Teacher Curriculum and Resources, and How to Get Money for Your Program & Spend It Wisely. Mark Smith of Reed Cutler High School will discuss AutoCAD for the Woodworking Program and Marketing Your Program: How to Get Started.

To learn more and register for AWFS Fair seminars, visit awfsfair.org.

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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 240 woodworking machine operations. In addition, WCA has issued more than 2,500 credentials, a portable, personal permanent record documenting each holder’s record of woodworking skill achievements. More than 100 high schools and post-secondary schools throughout North America are WCA EDUcation™ members. To learn more about the WCA and how to get involved with its programs, including sponsorship opportunities, visit WoodworkCareer.org.