Program Spotlight: Madison College Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program

The Madison College Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program (Madison, Wisconsin) is an outstanding example of a successful industry-education training program that is supporting students and the local woodworking industry. They regularly invite industry professionals to the school to educate students about their machinery or products. An upcoming example of this is a laminating seminar hosted by AWI Wisconsin and featuring representatives from Black Bros and Applied Adhesives. The program also takes on special projects: last year they made four display cabinets for a Historical Society and they recently built a reception desk for the Washington DC office of the U.S. Forest Service. Graduates regularly find employment immediately upon graduation, and many placements happen thanks to the Internship Program, which they have established with 75 local companies!

The man behind this innovative program is its Director, Patrick Molzahn. Previously the owner of an architectural millwork and custom furniture business, Molzahn took over the program in 2000 and adopted the WoodLINKS USA curriculum, so that many of the students have earned the WoodLINKS certificate and Molzahn ultimately served as the WoodLINKS USA Board President. A founding member of the Woodwork Career Alliance, Molzahn now serves on the WCA Board and is heavily involved in AWI and the SkillsUSA National Cabinetmaking contest Education Committee. Many of his students are currently working toward becoming Certified under the WCA industry standards, which will help them validate their tool knowledge and training to potential employers.

To learn more about the Madison College Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program, follow them on Facebook, or check out the most recent edition of their quarterly e-newsletter, Wood Moves.

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