Woodwork Career Alliance to present pair of workforce development sessions at IWF

Woodwork Career Alliance to present pair of workforce development sessions at IWF July 13, 2026 | 10:57 am CDT

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IWF News

Woodworking Industry News

Woodwork Career Alliance to present pair of workforce development sessions at IWF

By

Dakota Smith

July 13, 2026 | 10:57 am CDT

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The workshop will be led by Scott Nelson, president of the WCA, and Bruce Spitz, Treasurer of the WCA Board of Directors.

LINCOLN, Neb., The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America will present a workshop and a seminar at IWF 2026, each focused on helping wood products manufacturers create or improve their in-house training programs.WCA to Present a Pair of Workforce Development Sessions at IWF 2026.

“Building & Executing an In-house Training Program for Your Workers” is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26. The workshop will be led by Scott Nelson, president of the WCA, and Bruce Spitz, treasurer of the WCA Board of Directors. Both presenters are former owners of successful architectural woodworking companies and are past presidents of the Architectural Woodwork Institute.

The workshop will highlight ways woodworking companies can create in-house training programs to on-board new hires or elevate the skills of existing employees. The presentation will showcase the WCA Skill Standards, which are designed to be modular, progressive, and competency-based system that manufacturers can use to help you create a training template for their unique business needs. The cost of the seminar will include a one-year WCA MANufacturing membership at the reduced cost of $100.

The second WCA-led session, “An Overview of the new WCA Online Employee Training Resources,” will be presented by Greg Larson, vice president of the WCA. The session set for 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, August 27, will shine a spotlight on the WCA’s online training modules.

The online platform currently consists of five modules including those focused on measurement and layout, wood characteristics including moisture content, and machining and milling.

Greg Larson, Vice President, Woodwork Career Alliance of North America.

The digital programs are designed to help wood products manufacturers train new and existing employees with little or no woodworking background. The training modules are especially beneficial for companies that do not have the time, resources of know how to provide employees the in-depth background knowledge they need to be successful in their positions.  

"The primary challenge facing our industry today isn't a lack of interest; it’s a lack of a structured path for development,” said Scott Nelson. “At IWF, we want to hand the steering wheel back to shop owners. By using the WCA Manufacturing Skill Standards alongside readily accessible resources like our online training modules, companies can move away from ad-hoc training and instead build a modular, progressive blueprint that turns raw potential into highly skilled, safe, and productive craftspeople."

Bruce Spitz, Treasurer of the WCA Board of Directors.

"From my years running Classic Millwork, I know firsthand that profitability and shop floor skill are directly linked,” added Bruce Spitz. “You can't just wish for a more productive team, you have to invest in them. Our session at IWF is designed as a practical, competency-based masterclass for managers who need to ramp up employee efficiency and curb costly turnover.”

Advanced registration cost ends July 31, 2026. 

Learn more and register for either or both of these presentations:

Building & Executing an In-house Training Program for Your Workers, WRK5 | IWF Atlanta 2026 Education

An Overview of the new WCA Online Employee Training Resources, WRK3 | IWF Atlanta 2026 Education

.

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Training and Hiring

About the author

Dakota Smith

| Assistant Editor

Dakota is an assistant editor at Woodworking Network, avidly exploring the woodworking industry.

Read more articles from this author

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