Inspiring the Next Generation of Woodworkers: Education, Technology, and Mentorship

Like many other trades, the woodworking industry is facing a serious challenge—a growing shortage of skilled workers. But addressing this issue isn’t just about filling jobs or "closing the gap." It’s about helping students realize that high-paying careers in the wood industry are within reach, and many don’t require a four-year degree. In this article, I’ll highlight what various groups in our industry are doing to address this challenge—organizations like the Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) and the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), shop teachers like Mark Smith, Bobby Miller, and Kevin Lear, and how Microvellum is supporting education and helping students develop their design, drafting, and engineering skills.

How Industry Associations Are Bridging the Skills Gap

The woodworking industry is facing a growing skills gap, but organizations like the Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) and the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) are taking proactive steps to address the issue. The WCA provides standardized skill certifications and educational resources, partnering with schools and industry to integrate these certifications into programs, helping students develop and validate their skills. AWI, through its Industry Solutions (IS) program, offers specialized, flexible training focused on practical woodworking skills to help companies upskill their workforce. Additionally, AWI collaborates with schools, offering grants and support to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, giving students access to real-world tools and technologies used in cabinet manufacturing. Together, these initiatives play a crucial role in closing the skills gap and preparing a skilled workforce for the future of woodworking.

How Shop Teachers are Making a Difference

Just as industry associations are taking action, individual shop teachers are also playing a critical role in closing the skills gap. Mark Smith , a teacher at Reed Custer High School in Illinois and this year’s WIA Educator of the Year, has dedicated nearly 30 years to teaching students not only woodworking skills but also the business and technology that drive the industry. He’s worked to secure equipment, materials, and software donations so his students can get real-world experience with the tools used in modern manufacturing. Bobby Miller , a teacher at Coon Rapids High School in Minnesota, uses a similar approach, taking his students on field trips to local manufacturers, using QR codes for interactive learning in the shop, and staying connected to industry trends by attending trade shows. If you want to gain insight into his CTE program, listen to the podcast he hosts, Mr. Millers Woodshop. ?

Kevin Lear, a teacher at Greater Altoona Career and Technical Center (GACTC), is another educator making a difference by using Microvellum software in his classroom. His students gain hands-on experience designing, engineering, and manufacturing wood products, learning real-world skills that are essential for the modern workforce. The MiLL (Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, also serves as a great example of how educators are impacting students. Partnering with the Peyton and Widefield School Districts, The MiLL provides students with hands-on experience using cutting-edge technology and equipment, including Microvellum software, to prepare them for careers in woodworking.

How Microvellum University Helps Educate Your Future Workforce

One of the ways we’re trying to make a difference is through Microvellum University (MVU), our eLearning platform, which is completely free to anyone who wants to learn. It’s been really helpful for clients who need to train new employees quickly, and it’s a great resource for teachers building their curriculum too. The courses are self-paced and practical, focusing on real-world workflows, with videos that walk you through each step. There are also quizzes to reinforce what’s been learned, making sure users grasp the material. Taught by experienced cabinet makers, MVU is a straightforward, easily accessible way to learn the skills used by today’s drafters, engineers, and manufacturers using Microvellum software. | Start Learning with MVU

Getting Involved: Adopt-a-School

I love telling people about Microvellum’s Adopt-a-School program because it brings me back to my own high school experience. I spent four years in woodshop, and while I had a great teacher, the focus was more on making one-off products than preparing for a career. Back then, the idea of pursuing a job in the woodworking industry never really crossed my mind—it wasn’t something we talked about, and we had no idea what the industry really offered.

Woodworking has advanced significantly since my high school days, especially in terms of technology. Today, the opportunities extend far beyond traditional manual work. That’s why programs like our Adopt-a-School initiative are so important. This program connects industry with education, providing students and educators free access to Microvellum software—the same cutting-edge technology used by real-world wood product manufacturers. It’s about showing the next generation that woodworking is a modern, high-tech career path.

When I joined Microvellum 24 years ago, I was so excited about the possibilities that I called my old shop teacher. I wanted to share how I had landed at a company transforming the way woodworkers design, engineer, and manufacture products. That conversation reminded me of the importance of exposing students to the technology shaping our industry, and I encouraged him to bring our software into his classroom, so his students could see what modern woodworking looks like firsthand.

The Importance of Mentorship

Mentorship plays an important role in inspiring the next generation of woodworkers by showing students what’s possible in the industry. Companies like Concepts In Millwork in Colorado are partnering with schools like The MiLL to provide hands-on learning and guidance, helping to shape the next generation of woodworkers. By mentoring both teachers and students, they help bridge the gap between education and the real world, ensuring students gain practical experience with modern tools and techniques. This kind of mentorship is crucial because it not only prepares students for careers but also ignites their passion for woodworking by showing them the exciting opportunities that exist in the industry.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Inspiring the next generation of woodworkers isn't just about closing the skills gap; it’s about creating opportunities and showing young people the potential of today’s woodworking industry. Through programs like Microvellum University and Adopt-a-School, along with the efforts of organizations like the Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA), Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), dedicated educators like Mark Smith and Bobby Miller, The MiLL, and forward-thinking manufacturers who open their doors to students and educators, we’re helping students see woodworking as a modern, high-tech career.

…………….

If you're an educator interested in bringing Microvellum software to your school, or a manufacturer who wants to get involved, reach out to me, and let's inspire the next generation together.