Fifty Schools Join the Woodwork Career Alliance
- On 6 Jan 2014
- By Tovi Spero
Fifty Schools Join the Woodwork Career Alliance 
The Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA), developers of the Manufacturing Skill Standards for the wood products manufacturing industry, has signed up 50 schools in their EDUcationTM membership program. Many of the schools were formerly with WoodLINKS USA which ceased operation in the summer of 2013; participating schools have made a smooth transition to the WCA membership. The skill standards system designed by WCA is applicable and usable for both industry professionals as well as students. The dedicated faculty of these member schools are showing their commitment to both scholastic and skill excellence by adopting the WCA Passport and Credentials for their school.
An enticing benefit of the education membership is a donations package from selected suppliers in the industry. In the inaugural year donations came from Franklin Adhesives, Veneer Tech, QuickScrews and Taunton Press. Schools interested in finding out more about the WCA EDUcation program can find the info at www.woodworkcareer.org; and companies that would like to put their name and products in front of hundreds of students of woodworking can inquire on the WCA site about contributing to the Essentials Donation Package, which is shipped once a year to participating schools. The WCA Board will select and notify the chosen donors for 2014. (Note–one of the need areas for the package is abrasives.) Companies can also learn about the benefits of an INDustry™ membership. WCA is working to align wood career technical education programs with the industry’s needs and skills.