Founded in 2007, the mission of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) is to support workforce development for the woodworking industry, which includes certification and training of new and existing woodworking professionals as well as students at both the high school and post secondary level.
For the first time, woodworking students and professionals can earn an industry approved and recognized credential based on observable, measurable standards and evaluations. Every participant in the program starts by purchasing an Individual Membership to allow them to start recording their achievements.
The Sawblade Certification is an excellent first step to a new career in woodworking or enhancing your value and mobility as an employee. This certification is the first of a series offered by the WCA that can be built on towards the goal of becoming an expert in the field. MakeHaven looks forward to expanding our teaching and evaluation abilities as this program grows.
MakeHaven is proud to be a certified WCA Accredited Skills Evaluator and offer our members and the public the ability to earn a Sawblade Certification by completing their Level 2 Skill evaluations and earning the required Skill Points at our facility.
How it works
- Enroll:
Student purchases an Individual Membership to become a member of the WCA. Includes 10 free assessment credits: https://woodworkcareer.org/
- Basic Skills:
Pass the BASIC Measuring and Layout evaluations (no credits required) with a MakeHaven Examiner:
Tape Measure (all components)
Combination Square (all components)
Caliper (all components)
- Earn Skill Points:
Earn 10 Skill Points by being tested on the following five tool operations (2 points for each skill listed below):
Jointer – Edge jointing 1st edge
Table Saw – Ripping
Table Saw – Edge rabbet/single blade or dado set
Portable Hand Sander – Sand solid lumber
Drill Press – Drill Holes Completely Thru Material
- Written Test:
Score 80% or better on WCA Sawblade written/online test.
- Record Achievement:
The MakeHaven Evaluator records successful Tool Point Evaluations in the WCA Registry and emails info@woodworkcareer.org.
- Success!
Student receives a Sawblade Certificate, signed by a WCA Officer.
Further Information:
We have compiled a document to give a full run-down of what is needed for each step, including the generals of the testing specifics.
Cost:
Testing is $65 for the first attempt, paid to MakeHaven, and $55 for any test attempts after the 1st (per tool/section).
Instruction is calculated based on the level of existing knowledge and hours necessary.
How to Get Started:
Fill out the form below.
For those interested in only testing, testing days are scheduled periodically. The first testing day will be May 29, 2022.
Training will be scheduled individiually.
In both cases, we will reach out to each person directly to schedule time and share further documentation on the process and what each person should know to pass the exam.