Architectural Woodwork Education and Training

Meet industry needs by opening an architectural woodworking company

By Loraine Degraff, Freelance Writer/Playwright
You can trace simple or general woodworking back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and China. Early applications of woodworking encompassed practical purposes. Over the centuries, refined techniques and tools have resulted in a variety of uses and styles, ranging from toy making to cabinetry to complex building projects. Architectural woodworking emerged as a means of meeting custom requests for wood products for commercial applications.

Today, detailed woodworking is becoming somewhat of a lost art. In fact, there are a declining number of vocational programs geared towards cabinetmakers in the United States. Additionally, cabinet shops across the country are losing workers due to retirement. In spite of these factors, there remains a commercial interest and need for custom architectural woodwork. For this reason, there is no better time than now to get involved in architectural woodworking. Invest in architectural woodwork education and training. It will help you develop your business by:

1. Teaching you about the different aspects of general woodworking.

2. Helping you to specialize in a particular aspect of woodworking, such as architectural millwork.

3. Giving you a good working knowledge of woods and basic tools and equipment.

4. Help you expand you business to more advanced levels.

 

Learn architectural woodworking from professional association

Gathering woodwork information from different sources can help you decide which direction you want your architectural business to go. There are many aspects of the business. You can specialize in drafting and design, project management, building or installation.
Try: New England School of Architectural Woodworking (NESAW) teaches the basics of architectural woodworking, while offering students the opportunity to work directly with members of the community to design, build, and install projects. You may also want to join the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCANA). This alliance actively promotes the advancement of the woodworking industry in the United States and Canada. They have podcasts that can help you learn the latest techniques.

Develop skills for architectural woodworking services

Although there a declining number of vocational schools offering training for cabinetmakers, several woodworking schools in the United States offer training courses and degree programs in a variety of wood industries, including general woodworking and architectural millwork.
Try: Join Architectural Woodwork Institute to participate in seminars, renew certification, and purchase products and reference materials. Search the WoodIndustryEd.org database to locate educational opportunities, programs for skill development and industry events. Register for Fineworking.com through Taunton Press. Here you can watch video workshops, order materials and supplies and sign up for magazine and newsletters. Woodworking Training offers free instructions on becoming a woodworker.

Get training to use architectural woodworking equipment

Architectural woodworking involves the use of a variety of tools and equipment. To be safe as well as successful, obtain information and training in architectural woodworking equipment usage.
Try: Alabama Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology teaches equipment safety. Kentucky Department of Workplace Standards offers a variety of safety courses. Advanced Training Institute International offers training in machinery usage as well as basic skills.