Current Program

The Cabinetmaking and Millwork program, which reflects the goals of the college's Mission Statement, provides the student with the opportunity to master skills required for success in the cabinetmaking trade. This is the basis for an Associate in Science degree. An Associate in Arts degree, designed for those students attending primarily in the evening division and with less laboratory experience, is also available. Included in the Cabinetmaking and Millwork program are construction standards, appropriate building codes, hand sketching, designing and drafting, stock billing procedures, wood finishing methods, modular and standard construction, and mastering the use and maintenance of related shop tools and machines. The student moves from very basic principles to advanced construction and installation techniques. Students enroll in the program for personal enrichment, to obtain a degree or certificate, and for retraining or upgrading job skills. In recent years several factors have affected the program, including the addition of a computer lab that offers help with fundamental math and English skills as well as innovative cabinetmaking design software. Other factors include changes in students' basic skills levels, changes in technology and the addition of weekend classes at the college.

Degrees and Certificates - An Associate in Arts degree and an Associate in Science degree, as well as a Certificate of Completion are offered.

Personnel - At this time the department employs two full-time faculty and one part-time faculty. There is classified support for all of Construction Technologies in the form of two full-time classified employees and one part-time classified employee.

Teaching Methodologies - Lecture/lab and lecture/demonstration are the primary teaching methods used in the classroom at this time, with some lecture, lab and computerized instruction used as well.

Technology - No courses are offered online or via distance education technologies.

Equipment - Many of the current woodworking machines are antiquated and difficult to adjust or set up. The following items of equipment are needed immediately: power feeds for three shapers, additional carbide saw blades for table saws, blades for band saws, sanding belts for a wide-belt sanding machine, and a sliding table saw for safe cut-off of panel/sheet stock. Equipment in need of repair includes guards on jointers, various power tools, an air regulator in the spray booth, a flat belt for raising and lowering a planer table, a brake on a shaper, raising/lowering and tilting mechanisms for all existing table saws, and a motor for a stationary grinder. Several table saws that are too large and antiquated need to be replaced.

Facilities - The location of the program is very good, as it is easily accessible to local high schools and related woodworking businesses. With the recent addition of a cabinetmaking computer lab, the space is adequate with the exception of a need for storage space for student projects while they are under construction. The lab and classroom facilities offer an excellent environment for instruction.

Future Program

In the future, continuing changes in technology and in college recruitment strategies should have a profound effect on the program. It is expected that enrollment in the program will increase faster than overall college enrollment in both the mid term (five years) and long term (ten years), as the industry is in constant need of qualified cabinetmakers. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - No additional degrees or certificates are planned.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - In future, the use of computers in labs and the addition of new instructors skilled in new methods will undoubtedly mean the introduction of new teaching methods.

Technology - While new technologies, including innovative software programs, certainly can be used in updating the curriculum, it is doubtful that new distance education technologies will be used in this program. Cabinetmaking is a skill that needs to be acquired through laboratory exercises and hands-on in-class projects.

Equipment - New equipment needed within the next five years to keep students current with the industry includes Bibmeyer table saw fences for all table saws, an edge banding machine, a computerized beam saw for panel processing and two spray guns.

Facilities - Additional lab space would be an asset, especially if the program grows as predicted. When additional faculty members are added, additional office space will be needed.

Staff Development - Training seminars for the operation of CNC machines are needed, along with seminars on new hardware.

Special Recommendation
The department should explore new methods of instruction and alternative delivery systems to provide more opportunities for students to access the program. New technologies should be incorporated into the program that address industry changes or the program will not survive.