Woodworking has come a long way in the past fifty years, but where does it go from here? What happens when the”boomers” go to their great reward? How will the torch be passed to the next generation of craftsmen? I was searching for clues to this mystery when I recently put the following question to WoodCentral visitors: What can be done to rejuvenate the industrial arts and/or to inspire future generations to learn to work with their hands to produce things of value and beauty?
“Our nation has become arrogant, believing that hand work is menlal and relying on Third World countries to do the things for which we consider ourselves too technologically advanced. We need to realize that the truest measure of genius is in what you create and not in who gets to wear a white shirt.”
“…start by decriminalizing woodworking for teens.”
“…limit liability by teaching kids and their parents to be responsible for their actions. 4-H Clubs have woodworking projects that kids can build for the county fair. If a few kids have fun making the projects and get a few dollars for it, maybe the idea will spread and lure other kids away from their computer and video games. Parents and grandparents should drag their kids (the younger the better) out into the shop and give them a saw and hammer. Let them make a little sawdust and pound a few nails, and they will be hooked.”
“Apprenticeship programs are good, but we need technical high schools to inculcate good skills and work habits.”
*I wasn’t hooked by the Industrial arts program in my school 20 years ago. What enthralled me was wood itself. When I first saw a piece of Quilted Maple with an oil and shellac finish, it looked almost unreal. Exposing students to the beauty of wood without exposing them to flying dust and spinning blades might be a way to inspire them without the liability issue.”
*The loss of technical training schools is a major contributor to the high school dropout rate. We’ve forgotten that some people take great pride in the ability to produce tangible goods. We must provide an environment for these students that makes them feel comfortable and able to learn a trade that will allow them to compete in today’s world. We need to bring back the tech-school classes and allow these individuals to realize and expand their God-given talents. Their services will always be needed and appreciated.”
“Two things make shop programs hard to support in the public schools. First, we tend to look down on those who work with their hands for a living. yet we admire artists and artisans who do the same. This provides little incentive for schools to allocate assets for those students who are considered not’suitable’ for higher education. Second, tight budgets prompt the elimination of the ‘frills’ or enrichment programs. Yet, cut out a sports team and you get hard and vocal opposition. Our society has collectively voiced its priorities. We are part of the problem.”
“Pride of ownership. Skills, like diplomas, belong to those who have earned them.Money and material things may come and go, but skill cannot be taken away. That’s difficult to teach, and the changing demographics and economics in this country won’t make it any easier. Teachers need to understand, accept, and appreciate the fact that kids who can fix things or make things can also go to college; there is no need for a separate academic path.”
“I have no doubt that our high school shop programs are going down the tubes. I am just curious how many of us gained their interest in woodworking from a high school wood shop. I gained my interest and skills post-high school. I guess the question that I am asking is, how important was vocational education for those of you who are now serious woodworkers?”
“Pay attention to what is being taught in your child’s school and help him or her apply it at home. My interest in woodworking didn’t come from the shop class in junior high, but from watching my dad fix things and build things around the house.”
“Tech programs have advantages beyond educating the next generation of craftspeople. My five-year tech school education made me a better engineering student-and a much better engineer-because I know how things go together! If I could help it, no kid would get out of high school without the ability to earn a living at something more meaningful than clerking or burger flipping.”
“Arts programs, which are still funded most places, generally Include some type of hand-skill training;perhaps their scope could be broadened to other hand skills.”
“Get wood-shop and/or craftsmanship on your state’s graduation exam.” “You can go to prison for allowing a minor to operate woodworking machines; be careful about who knows. Ironically, you can also go to prison to learn woodworking!”
“We can’t legally teach a kid to use a woodworking machine with a 2-hp motor, but we can let him drive a 150-hp car–endangering everyone with even less training and supervision.”
“The best solution might be to repackage woodworking as a science and an art form and not as an “economic training program to a future profession. This ‘woodworking science’ class would bring in topics In chemistry, biochemistry, botany, biology, physics, architecture, art history, decorative arts, environmental concerns, and more. A ‘woodworking art’ class would teach basic woodworking techniques and allow students to go from an original concept to a finished product. The focus of the class would be on creating something artistic out of wood. Maybe If woodworkers were perceived more as wood artists, society would recognize the beauty and value of the things that we make.”
“I wonder how many of us make a living with woodworking because of a high-school shop class? In the past, skilled high school graduates could find an apprenticeship at a local woodworking shop and eventually gain the skill and financing to start their own shops. Today, the best they can do is load CNC machines that kick out build-it-yourself particleboard furniture.”
“…another problem is the stigma of being labeled a “shoppie” by student peers and teachers. Many students refuse to participate in technical programs for exactly that reason.”
“It’s obvious we have to educate the elitists who ridicule the ‘shoppies.’If it weren’t for the ‘shoppies’ who build chairs, they would not have any place to park their fat butts!”
“In this throwaway world, artifacts of quality, that will last a lifetime, aren’t appreciated. There are a few markets In the country where quality is appreciated. It’s difficult for craftspeople to sell their wares for anything near their real value, except to other artists. We need to start people young in the traditional skills, and maybe get back to the idea of apprenticeship. We also need to encourage everyone we know to value
those skills and to learn at least one for their own.”
“There probably aren’t any grade schools left anywhere that still have wood-shop. Its a real shame, because that’s the time to sink the hook!”
“High school woodworking gave me a forum where I could compete. In sports, I was always the last to get picked and couldn’t hit a homer; but in wood shop, I could kick butt. I enjoyed the work. I got to be part of a team.”
“Enlist the aid of the movie and television industry. Growing up, I had ‘LI’ Rascals’ reruns to help me get Interested in making things. Who can ever forget that dog-driven wagon with the bent axles that made the wagon sway? The comedy ‘Home Improvement’ spawned an increase in the sale of tools to some extent. We need movies and TV shows where woodworkers fight crime or tackle the evils of the world. The hero would be passionately working on some project when the alarm sounds. Heather Locklear could be the spouse (assuming the protagonist is a male).”
What are your thoughts on this? Add your comments below!
Integrate industrial arts and vocational training back into school curricula at all levels. Provide hands-on experiences and apprenticeships to expose students to various trades and crafts. Emphasize the importance of industrial arts in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, as they provide practical applications of theoretical concepts.
Highlight the value and opportunities available in skilled trades through media campaigns, outreach programs, and partnerships with industry. Encourage companies to invest in apprenticeship programs, offering on-the-job training and mentorship to young individuals interested in pursuing careers in industrial arts.
Provide funding and resources for small businesses and artisans to modernize their equipment, adopt sustainable practices, and reach wider markets through e-commerce platforms. Establish maker spaces and community workshops where individuals can access tools, equipment, and expertise to pursue their creative projects.
Support research and development in advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, and automation, making them more accessible and affordable for small-scale producers.
Foster collaboration between academia, government agencies, and industry to develop innovative solutions and address challenges in manufacturing processes.
Recognize and celebrate the cultural heritage and historical significance of industrial arts through museums, exhibitions, and heritage sites. Encourage the preservation of traditional craftsmanship techniques through apprenticeships, training programs, and documentation of oral histories.
Implement policies that incentivize companies to invest in domestic manufacturing and local supply chains, creating jobs and fostering economic resilience. Offer tax credits, grants, and low-interest loans to businesses and individuals engaged in industrial arts projects, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.
Foster collaboration between industrial artists, designers, engineers, and scientists to explore interdisciplinary approaches and create innovative products and solutions. Encourage partnerships between industries to share knowledge, resources, and best practices for sustainable manufacturing and design.