WIA Announces 2025 Wooden Globe Award Winner, Educator of the Year

PRESS RELEASE

Scottsdale, AZ – April 30, 2025 — The Wood Industry Association (WIA) proudly presented its 2025 Wooden Globe Award for Educator of the Year at the Wood Industry Conference (WIC), held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The award ceremony took place during WIA’s Annual Business Meeting, where David Bult accepted the honor on behalf of Next Step of West Michigan.

Educator of the Year: Next Step of West Michigan The Educator of the Year award recognizes an educational institution or training program that demonstrates excellence in preparing individuals for careers in the woodworking industry. Honorees are chosen for their advocacy, innovation, and impact on workforce development in the wood sector.

David Bult accepted the award in recognition of Next Step of West Michigan’s outstanding contributions to vocational education through its two primary programs: the Adult Wood Training Program and the High School Wood Tech Program, both based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Launched in 2020, the Adult Wood Training Program is an intensive seven-week course designed to equip individuals with both practical woodworking techniques and essential job readiness skills. The program operates year-round, offering six cohorts annually with 10 to 12 participants each. Trainees gain hands-on experience in designing and building wood products while learning to safely operate machinery, power tools, and hand tools. With a focus on experiential learning, the program boasts a 77% job placement and retention rate, preparing graduates for careers in woodworking, furniture making, manufacturing, and construction.

In 2022, Next Step introduced its High School Wood Tech Training Program, a project-based curriculum that teaches skills and concepts to be directly applied at modern wood manufacturing companies. Upon completion, students have the skills and industry-recognized credentials needed to obtain internships or employment, including the Woodworkers Career Alliance (WCA) Sawblade Certification.

Over the past 12 years, Next Step of West Michigan has helped more than 250 individuals launch successful careers in the woodworking industry. The Wood Industry Association (WIA) commends Next Step of West Michigan for its commitment to workforce development and for fostering the next generation of skilled professionals in the wood industry.

For more information on Next Step of West Michigan’s programs, please visit: https://nextstep-wm.org/ Access Next Step of West Michigan’s logo.

About the Wood Industry Association (WIA) The mission of the Wood Industry Association (WIA) is to improve management operations, marketing programs, sales techniques, merchandising and distribution functions of those engaged in the domestic or foreign manufacture of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment and/or the sale of such equipment in North America.

WIA Contact: Fred Stringfellow, Chief Executive Officer | (443)-640-1052 | fred@woodindustry.org

BACK TO NEWS