The Apprenticeship Program: Creating woodworking's future

Mark Richey Woodworking has always been committed to sustainability, and that extends beyond materials and processes. Our team is equally invested in creating woodworking experts who move the industry forward and continue to showcase the value of our craft.

To that end, we created our unique Apprenticeship Program. Today, we will give you an inside look at it through the eyes of job captain and Apprenticeship Program leader Caleb.
‍

The history of our Apprenticeship Program

The Apprenticeship Program has been in place for around 20 years. It was created to build a sustainable workforce by training our next generation of skilled woodworkers, supporting the ongoing success of the company. Over those 20 years, there have been dozens of successful graduates.

The program has evolved from packets of information to a comprehensive manual, outlining modules and identifying different machines and processes. Today, Caleb, who Mark Richey Woodworking has employed for 10 years, leads it, job captain Eric contributes to the program by updating existing training modules or creating new ones, and the other job captains teach within it.

What to expect from the Apprenticeship Program

The Apprenticeship Program is a full-time career choice complete with competitive wages and benefits, primarily geared toward career-transition candidates who enjoy working with their hands and who show desire and aptitude for the trade.

"Anyone who enjoys building with their hands is a good fit for the program. It's an active job that offers a variety of learning options," says Caleb.

By the numbers

There are usually about six individuals in the program at any given time, as the training is intensive and requires dedicated oversight.

The program takes approximately 18-24 months to complete, including a three-month probationary period, after which individuals are officially hired as apprentice woodworkers. Graduates earn skill competence akin to five years of woodshop experience.

The majority of participants choose to continue by remaining employed at Mark Richey Woodworking. In the last five years alone, 20 people have graduated from our program, all of whom went on to become Mark Richey woodworkers. Three people who have completed the program are currently serving as job captains.
‍

Involved in every aspect

The program includes real-world work. It's done on a rotation with different job captains, and training sessions are usually held toward the end of the day. Individuals go through all the machines and processes they’d need to work on a project by themselves. That includes 27 Mark Richey Woodworking machines and countless processes.

Training encompasses all aspects of architectural woodworking, including the use of hand tools, machine operations, time management, and safety protocols. After people have learned every machine and process, they qualify for an official test, which, if passed, will allow them to advance to the position of an official woodworker for Mark Richey Woodworking.
‍

Ready to excel

"Our program is continually evolving to capture new or required skills needed within the company and in the larger woodworking field. It is designed to enable individuals to take on more responsibilities and work independently after graduation. We also look out for where people create efficiencies through the mill shop and building areas, taking that experience and applying it to future projects," says Caleb.

Essentially, we put our apprentice woodworkers in the position to craft their own destinies and take on as much as they feel able to handle. There is ample room for personal growth and development.
‍

What's different about our Apprenticeship Program?

As mentioned earlier, our program doesn't require individuals to be skilled woodworkers already. We train candidates for a new career in woodworking as opposed to learning to operate a single machine.
‍

Access and cross-training

"This shop is different because we cross-train on all machines. You never use one machine all day. We get people up to speed so they can work in the shop," says Caleb.

People in this program gain access to large industrial machines that are not available in smaller shops. This is a major benefit because it essentially means that anyone trained here can produce a wide range of work.
‍

Project scale

"After graduating from Maine College of Art, I started working at a smaller shop. A few years later, I chose to join Mark Richey Woodworking as a Woodworker because I wanted a larger shop with a broader product base. We have a wide range and scale of jobs we work on. Some jobs last more than a year! That would be impossible for a smaller shop to do," says Caleb.

Mark Richey Woodworking projects are highly visible and exciting. They leave their mark on the world. They become a part of the landscape – at least for a while – and are enjoyed across the country.

Our work is national. We fabricate everything from massive concert halls to corporate interiors to private residences.

An unwavering commitment to excellence

Our work is of the highest quality. Other industries that involve wood, such as construction, have varied differentials. Our work must be near perfection.
‍

Why our Apprenticeship Program matters

"We care about educating young people. It’s up to us to sustain this craft; it doesn’t happen magically," says President Mark Richey.

There is a distinct lack of skilled craftspeople in the woodworking sector. The future belongs to those who create it, and we are among those people.
‍

How to join Mark Richey's Apprenticeship Program

The first step is to apply to our Apprenticeship Program. From there, Shop Foreman Chris and Assistant Shop Foreman Mike will review the application and facilitate an interview if they think it's a match for our business. If you are accepted, Caleb, Eric, and the other job captains will begin your education by teaching you specific machines and processes.

We also, of course, hire experienced woodworkers to join our remarkable team. If you are committed, reliable, attentive, passionate, and dedicated to craft, we invite you to apply to work with us!

Learn More and Apply

FAQs

• How many people does the Mark Richey Woodworking Apprenticeship Program train simultaneously?
  The Apprenticeship Program usually has six or so apprentice woodworkers training at a time.
  ‍
• How long does the Mark Richey Woodworking Apprenticeship Program take to complete?
  The Mark Richey Woodworking Apprenticeship Program takes between 18 and 24 months to complete. Progress is individual.
  ‍
• How many people have completed the Mark Richey Woodworking Apprenticeship Program?
  During the 20 years the Mark Richey Woodworking Apprenticeship Program has existed, dozens have graduated.
  ‍
• Does Mark Richey Woodworking hire graduates after they complete the Apprenticeship Program?
  Yes, in almost all cases, graduates are successfully promoted to woodworker. From there, they can advance to advanced woodworker and potentially become a job captain.