Woodworking Schools in Chicago
While woodworking training is available in the Chicago area, the two schools featured in this article do not offer formal degree programs. Keep reading to learn more about the institutions' coursework and learning opportunities. There is also some information about a couple of other schools in the area offering relevant training.
- Located about five miles from central Chicago, the Greater West Town Training Partnership offers a training program focused on woodworking and solid surface manufacturing that could help prepare students for entry-level employment.
- A second option is the Chicago School of Woodworking, which offers 9-week classes and weekend seminars in woodworking. The institution is located around 10 miles from the downtown area.
Greater West Town Training Partnership
The program in woodworking and solid surface manufacturing is designed to train future woodworkers through hands-on classes that cover woodworking techniques, equipment and projects. The partnership was created to help employers in the Chicago area find woodworkers who have some formal training before seeking entry-level employment. Students take classes from instructors who have practical experience in woodworking, and all of the classes involve common equipment used on the job. Nearly 846 graduates have gone through the program since 1993.
The Woodworkers Training Program
The training program generally takes four months to complete. Students learn how to make cabinets and furniture as well as other wood creations. In preparation for entry into a woodworking career, students learn how to read blueprints, run machinery and use measurement tools. Students also learn the safety procedures for handling woodworking equipment. Once students complete the program, they can take part in job placement services offered by the partnership and local businesses.
Chicago School of Woodworking
This school opened in 2007 and trains students who want to learn the skill of furniture making. All of the classes give students practical experience and expose them to the equipment and machinery used by woodworkers. The instructors have extensive experience in woodworking. For example, some of the teachers are trained woodcarvers, while others specialize in cabinetry and furniture repair.
Woodworking Classes
At the Chicago School of Woodworking, students can choose between weekend seminars and 9-week classes in woodworking. The weekend seminars teach students how to use different types of saws and allow them to create wood products. The 9-week classes generally start with an introductory course. From there, students learn how to use various saws and woodworking equipment. By the end of the seminar, students build pieces such as cabinetry and speaker boxes.
Other Schools
Although the number of woodworking classes is limited, students in the Chicago area have a couple of other options. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers sculpture classes that cover making sculptures out of wood, among other materials. The institute is located less than a mile away from downtown. Additionally, The University of Chicago, which is located about 9 miles from the center of the city, offers shopcraft classes that include some instruction in woodworking.
