Benjamin O'Kelley » Woodworking 1 & 2

Woodworking 1 & 2

Students in the Woodworking classes, who have not already received them, will have
the opportunity to earn two certifications this semester. The first certification is the
Sawblade Certificate through the WCA (Woodwork Career Alliance). The WCA’s
mission is to provide individual woodwork professionals concise, personal, portable
records of their woodworking skills and achievements. The Sawblade Certificate can
only be earned by students enrolled in a WCA woodworking program. Students must
be able to use a tape measure, combination square, and caliper. They also have to
earn ten skill points on machines performing specific operations, pass a written test,
and be nominated by a faculty member. The second certificate earned is the OSHA-10
Construction certification. While earning this certificate students will learn about the
following jobsite hazards: caught-in or between, struck-by, electrocutions,
excavations, falls, hand and power tools, health risks, material handling, and PPE.
 
The course work used consists of woodworking books, PowerPoint’s, short videos,
demonstrations, hands on projects, and online modules. My goal is to keep the “book
work” to a minimum as majority of the topics and skills can be learned through the
hands on activities. However, student behavior, safety, and equipment will dictate
when and how often projects will be used.