Does anyone have any good advice regarding woodworking schools? Is it really worth it? Does it prepare/enable one to get work in the field? Particularly the New England School of Architectural Woodworking.
I have about two years of experience in a high-end low-production shop back east, mostly making chairs. About a year ago I quit to work on a residential building/restoration project in rural Nevada. I would really like to get back to a woodshop to beef up my experience but most job listings are looking for someone with at least 5 years experience or more. Schooling seems like the most sure fire way to get experience and build a professional network. But I’ve already got significant debt from bachelors and masters degrees in fine art.
An apprenticeship seems more logical but they seem to be terribly scant. Any advice regarding apprenticeships?
Many thanks.
Replies
tough question
I'm not familiar with the school you mention, so I can't really comment on their program.
In general, however, I think the question of "return on investment" for such schools is a tough one to answer. Trade schools are generally based on traditional career-path assumptions, but those assumptions may no longer apply to real-world issues associated with making a living in that trade. Will a person learn "good stuff" at a good school? Of course. But, at what cost, and will that person be able to get a job in the field? Maybe not. A lot depends on the market conditions in different geographic areas, and whether the graduate is willing to relocate to an area in which there is actually a market for the learned skills.
Schooling?
kgrum,
I do not have experience with what seems, from your question, to be a "trade school" - but I do have extensive woodwork schooling experience. I started with a single, 5 day class at Marc Adams School of Woodworking near Indianapolis. I was so amazed by that first experience, I was hooked and continued to take 1 or 2 classes a year.
After being exposed to top teachers in their field, working with them on what essentially became a one-on-one basis. I feel that people such as Michael Fortune (3 weeks), Kelly Mehler, Phillip Lowe, Graham Blackburn and many others have become personal friends. The exposure to these persons and the knowledge they have been able to import in finishing, design, joinery, veneering, turning, carving, etc. have given me the confidence to tackle virtually any project. However, I would never dream of attempting to earn a living at this craft. As a further indication of the economic problem, all of the superb craftsmen mentioned above supplement their income by teaching and writing for magazines.
NOW, how to apply that to a Business is another question. I would call Marc Adams and ask him what he would recommend; he will give you straight answers. Also checkout ads for apprenticeships; I've seen several ads in different parts of the country and in different specialties. But if you check the archives here on Knots you will find there is an overwhelming challenge in earning a living in woodworking. Good luck,
Frosty
No help but my middle
No help to you but my middle daughter (She called herself the lost child?).. Had a Masters degree in child education before she tried to find a job teaching grade school children.. She was told many times that her qualifications were too high for a entry job in teaching???
Yes, I went to college and a few so called "trade school". I learned much more from the trade schools... As in how to get along with others without a fist fight to prove my skills.... Toughest welder in my welding class was a beautiful female! Yes females were allowed.. She could afford the schools tuition! I payed for it... I never told anybody that she was my wife...
I see the dilemma you have.. If you can make chairs you can make anything!
And please read Frosty? post..
As in.. "I would never dream of attempting to earn a living at this craft. As a further indication of the economic problem, all of the superb craftsmen mentioned above supplement their income by teaching and writing for magazines."
As in one of my test questions for my final test for my degree in English was what was my favorite book to read. I wrote in red pencil that were told NOT to use.. I only read Pobular Mechanics and Comic books.. I passed my final!
What are hoping to do?
I think it comes down to what you hope to do with your woodworking.
If you want to teach, I'd get the formal education that will be respected by schools where you want to teach.
If you want to open a shop of your own, I'd say study business, and learn the WW skills from an experts that have skills that are (in your view) greater than your own. The more of these pro's you work with, the more you'll learn. Each will work in fields that differ from the others, as their work will be tied to their local market, and their areas of comfort. In business your success will be measured by your ability to keep your customers happy, and your ability to run a business.
If you hope to work for other shops as an employee, I would talk to some shop owners first.( at least 2 or 3) Tell them what you hope to do in the future as far as wages and positions you hope to obtain. ( Like Lead Cabinet Maker in a mid sized shop,) Ask them what it takes to hold these positions in your area of the country. Asking this question (specifically) here on Knots may help as well, though it may not apply to your local market.
Customers don't care if you have a degree in business, or woodworking. They want a good quality product at a good price with good sevice. Employers want the same.
Schooling?
Schooling is a way to build a portfolio... but I don' t know if anybody would classify it as experience.
I think you're correct some sort of apprenticship is what you're looking for. While scant they're around, as usually you just have to be willing to look in odd places.
I've been hanging around on this site for awhile but I wanted to write you so I signed up.
I went to NESAW 6 years ago and thought it was a great program. You get to work on real projects just like in a cabinet shop. I looked at North Bennett and the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, but they were so focused on furniture and I wanted to learn cabinetmaking because I thought it would be easier to get a job. I still build furniture on the side but I've been working as a cabinetmaker since I graduated. One thing about cabinet shops these days is that they don't like to hire people without experience cause they spend the money to train them and then they either quit and find another job or it turns out they can't do the work. Either way, it costs money. Good luck trying to find an apprenticeship in a cabinet shop, it's not like furniture makers. Lot's of shops advertise for people with a few years of experience, but beleive me, they'll hire someone good who took the time to go to school and learn the trade and shows up every day. They like that better cause they have someone they can train and doesn't have to unlearn bad habits they have from another shop.
If I were you, I'd give NESAW a call and talk to them. See if people from the school are getting jobs in this economy.
Hope this helps. Good luck
It is a great post and i am looking a topic to related my study
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