Tag Archive for: WCA online training

AWFS Fair Las Vegas

WCA to Showcase New Online Training at AWFS Fair

WCA online training seminar at AWFS Fair 2025LINCOLN, Neb. – The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) will feature its new online training modules for entry-level woodworkers at the upcoming AWFS Fair in Las Vegas. These resources help woodworking companies enhance their in-house employee training.

The seminar, “An Overview of the New WCA Online Employee Training Resources,” will be led by Greg Larson, WCA Vice President, on Thursday, July 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It will cover how these online tools can be integrated into existing training programs for better outcomes with new hires.

Greg Larson

Initially available modules include Math, Measuring, and Layout; Wood Theory; Milling and Machining; and Woodworking Fundamentals. The program offers narrated presentations, videos, supplemental reading, and quizzes.

Attendees will learn:

  • Common reasons why inexperienced trainees struggle.
  • Key characteristics of effective trainers.
  • Strategies for integrating WCA’s online modules into in-house programs for better results.

“Most woodworking companies have to train new employees in-house, but many, especially small to mid-size firms, lack a standardized program,” Larson said. “These online modules are a crucial, 24/7 asset to help train new hires and get them productive faster.”

The WCA’s online modules provide essential theoretical knowledge and background in an accessible format, designed to complement, not replace, on-the-job training.

The WCA will also host two other educational sessions at the AWFS Fair:

“Building an In-House Training Program for Your Workers”: This two-and-a-half-hour workshop, led by WCA President Scott Nelson and Board member Bruce Spitz, offers practical strategies for companies to develop or enhance internal training programs. This session is on Tuesday, July 22, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Attendees receive a $150 discount off the $250 annual MANufacturing membership to the WCA.
“CAD for the Wood Shop”: Mark Smith, Chairman of the WCA’s Education Committee, will present this session on Wednesday, July 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It will explore how educators can use technology-backed, student-driven learning to boost student achievement.

Learn more and register.

Visit WCA at Booth #3573
The WCA invites all attendees to booth #3573 to learn about its Skill Standards and Passport credentialing program, along with membership opportunities for educators, woodworking companies, and industry suppliers.

About the Woodwork Career Alliance
The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 2007. 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 over 240 woodworking machine operations. The WCA has issued over 6,000 Passport credentials, a portable, personal permanent record documenting woodworking skill achievements. Over 140 high schools and post-secondary schools across North America are WCA EDUcation™ members, and a growing number of woodworking companies have joined as WCA MANufacturing™ members. To learn more about the WCA and how to get involved, including INDustry™ Sponsorship opportunities, visit WoodworkCareer.org.

Scott Nelson president woodwork career alliance

President’s Message: Get Involved & Help Us Grow Some More

As stated in our most recent press release, 2023 was WCA’s best year ever. We entered 1,391 candidates into the WCA Passport Credentialing Program and awarded 1,358 Credentials. I thank all of our WCA EDUcation & MANufacturing members that worked hard in 2023 to make this accomplishment possible!

This month we will begin beta testing the WCA’s first four online training modules as well as the WCA Overview Module, which is a prerequisite for taking any of the online courses. The four modules that will be subject to testing include: Math, Measuring and Layout; Wood Theory; Woodworking Fundamentals; and Milling and Machining. WCA will have the final versions of these modules ready for use by IWF 2024. Plan to attend our IWF workshop 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. We will present ideas to help wood products business owners develop their in-house training programs using WCA Training Modules and Skill Standards.

WCA will once again offer financial assistance for teachers to attend IWF 2024 through our Greg Heuer EDUcation Scholarship Fund. WCA EDUcation member instructors can apply for a grant here. The WCA Education Committee will select up to 10 scholarship winners by the end of May.

We’re looking for a few good volunteers from education and industry to serve on our Education and Standards committees. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about these opportunities to help us develop and grow a skilled woodworking workforce.

Finally, later this spring WCA will issue a press release listing WCA EDUcation member high school and postsecondary schools that are graduating credentialed students who are interested in pursuing job opportunities in the wood products industry. The purpose of the press release is to connect students with potential employers. Feel free to contact me about how participating in this release might benefit your students and your program.

Sincerely,

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