The North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) and 14 of its members have signed on as Gold Sponsors of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA). Their sponsorships will benefit WCA high school and postsecondary woodworking programs in the United States and Canada. Sponsorship proceeds also will help the WCA advance its industry outreach activities.
The NBMDA’s support kicks off the WCA’s new INDustry™ Supporter Sponsorship program. The WCA is working to expand its base of participating educators, woodworking professionals, industry suppliers and association partners to develop and grow a skilled woodworking workforce.
Education also is at the forefront of the NBMDA. The association represents leading wholesale distributors of wood panels, surface materials, cabinet hardware, finishes and related products.
“The NBMDA is filled with people who are passionate about this industry and concerned about its future,” said Michael Donnelly, president of the NBMDA. “We share the WCA’s commitment to inform, encourage and educate kids to take advantage of the opportunities our industry has to offer. The industry needs the WCA’s help and the WCA needs the industry’s help.”
“We are extremely grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support by the NBMDA and its members,” said Scott Nelson, president of the WCA. “Resolving the woodworking industry’s long-standing challenge to recruit and retain high-quality employees will not happen on its own. We need all sectors of the industry to come together to right the ship. We hope that others will follow the lead of the NBMDA and its members’ generous support of the WCA.”
A key component of the WCA’s new sponsorship program provides INDustry Supporters the option of supporting a school of their choice or having a significant portion of their sponsorship donation placed in a general fund to help educational institutions and their students defray the costs of participating in the WCA skill standards and Passport credential program.
The inaugural Gold INDustry Supporter Sponsors include:
- Arauco
- Atlantic Plywood
- Axalta
- Columbia Forest Products
- Daniels-Olsen, a Metro Hardwoods company
- E.B. Bradley
- Intermountain Wood Products
- M.L. Campbell
- Milesi Wood Coatings
- North America Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA)
- OHARCO
- Rev-A-Shelf
- Timber Products
- Web Don
- Wurth Group North America