Program Overview

Cabinetmaking and Millwork Technical Diploma

Program Overview

The Cabinetmaking and Millwork program at Madison College will arm you with a strong understanding of modern woodworking techniques and equip you for success as a cabinetmaker, finish carpenter, or one of many other jobs that make use of this knowledge. As a student in Cabinetmaking and Millwork, you will:

• Build knowledge and skills necessary to plan and complete cabinetry, furniture and millwork projects.
• Learn the fundamentals of working with wood – from planning a project to adding the finishing details – all in our well-equipped lab.
• Understand how to work with prints, specifications and shop drawings.
• Practice selecting proper materials, determining the best procedures, manufacturing parts to specification, and assembling and finishing individual projects.
• Learn to plan and process wood in the most efficient manner using traditional woodworking equipment and hand tools, as well as the latest computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery and software.
• Gain practical experience in a variety of large-scale projects through partnerships with area businesses and local and state agencies.
• Work both individually and in teams to plan, estimate and execute woodworking projects.

Project profits are used to fund scholarships and activities for students in the Cabinetmaking and Millwork program at Madison Area Technical College.

Program Details

• Students in Cabinetmaking and Millwork program can attend full-time.
• Cabinetmaking and Millwork program classes are offered at our Madison Truax campus.

Careers

Earning your one-year technical diploma in the Cabinetmaking and Millwork program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:

• Cabinetmaker
• Finish Carpenter
• Architectural Woodworker
• Finishing Specialist
• Fixtures Manufacturer
• CAD/CAM Operator

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:

• Master Carpenter
• Shop Supervisor
• Journey-Level Finish Carpenter

Facilities

Madison College's Cabinetmaking and Millwork lab has state-of-the-art tools, equipment and technology.

Curriculum and Experience

Learn about the courses you’ll take and the skills you’ll develop in the Cabinetmaking and Millwork program.

• First Semester
  • Surfaces 1 (1 credit)
  • Woodworking 1A: Machinery & Methods (2 credits)
  • Woodworking 1B: Machinery & Methods (3 credits)
  • Woodworking 2: Materials and Processes (5 credits)
  • Workplace Safety (1 credit)
  • Wood Finishing Applications and Methods (1 credit)
  • Laminates 1 (1 credit)
  • Drawing 1 (1 credit)
  • Drawing 2 (1 credit)
• Second Semester
  • Cabinetmaking, Millwork & Furniture 1 (5 credits)
  • Cabinetmaking, Millwork, and Furniture 2 (5 credits)
  • Tool & Machine Maintenance (1 credit)
  • Wood Finishing Processes and Colorants (1 credit)
  • Cabinet Installation (1 credit)
  • Millwork Installation (1 credit)
  • AutoCAD for Cabinet Drawing 1 (1 credit)
  • AutoCAD for Cabinet Drawing 2 (1 credit)

Admission

To Apply

Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities.

Application Dates

• Fall 2025
  • Application open
  • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
• Spring 2026
  • Application open
  • Application completion deadline is January 15, 2026

Admission Requirements

All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

• 1. Admission Application
  • The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
• 2. Education Completion
  • Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
    • High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED completion
    • College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
        • Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript

All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

Additional Notes

• Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
• Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

Career Outcomes

MATC Cabinetmaking and Millwork program graduates are prepared to:

• Follow standard safety procedures while operating and maintaining tools and machinery.
• Produce high-quality products using appropriate tools and equipment, maintaining tolerances and standards, and using time, motion and materials efficiently.
• Visualize, design, plan and complete projects that meet clients’ expectations.
• Interpret technical drawings and specifications necessary to create, modify and assemble products.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with clients and co-workers.
• Contribute to a dynamic and energetic workplace by following instructions, accepting responsibility and working both collaboratively and independently, as required.
• Engage in lifelong learning in order to advance technical, personal and professional skills.

Graduate Summary

Graduate Report Summary Overview Count
Percents| 2022| 2023| 2024
---|---|---|---
Number of Program Graduates| 9| 9| 8
Number of Surveys Sent| 9| 9| 8
Number of Surveys Returned| 8| 8| 6
Percent of Surveys Returned| | |
Available for Employment| 7| 6| 6
Percent Available for Employment| 87.5%| 75.0%| 100.0%
Not in Labor Market| | |
Percent Not in Labor Market| 12.5%| 25.0%| 0.0%
Available for Employment Count
Percents| 2022| 2023| 2024
---|---|---|---
Graduates Employed| 6| 6| 5
Percent of Graduates Employed| 85.7%| 100.0%| 83.3%
Employed in Related Occupation| 4| 5| 4
Percent Employed in Related Occupation| 66.7%| 83.3%| 80.0%
Employed in Unrelated Occupation| 2| 1| 1
Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation| 33.3%| 16.7%| 20.0%
Employed - No Response| 0| 0| 0
Percent Employed - No Response| 0.0%| 0.0%| 0.0%
Seeking Employment| 1| 0| 1
Percent Seeking Employment| 14.3%| 0.0%| 16.7%
Reaction To Training at Madison College Count
Percents| 2022| 2023| 2024
---|---|---|---
Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)| 3.6| 3.5| 3.7
Number of Satisfaction Responses| 8| 8| 6
Very Satisfied (4)| 5| 6| 4
Percent Very Satisfied| 62.5%| 75.0%| 66.7%
Satisfied (3)| 3| 1| 2
Percent Satisfied| 37.5%| 12.5%| 33.3%
Unsatisfied (2)| 0| 0| 0
Percent Unsatisfied| 0.0%| 0.0%| 0.0%
Very Unsatisfied (1)| | |
Percent Very Unsatisfied| 0.0%| 12.5%| 0.0%
Primary Reason for Attending Madison College Count
Percents| 2022| 2023| 2024
---|---|---|---
Number of Primary Reason Responses| 8| 8| 6
Preparation for Getting a Job| | |
Percent Preparation for Getting a Job| | |
Career Change| | |
Percent Career Change| | |
Improvement of Existing Skills| | |
Percent Improvement of Existing Skills| | |
Preparation for Further Education| | |
Percent Preparation for Further Education| | |
Personal Interest| | |
Percent Personal Interest| | |
Other| | |
Percent Other| 0.0%| 0.0%| 0.0%
When Employment was Obtained Count
Percents| 2022| 2023| 2024
---|---|---|---
Number of When Employment Obtained Responses| 6| 6| 5
Before Enrollment| 3| 1| 1
Percent Before Enrollment| 50.0%| 16.7%| 20.0%
While Attending the College| 0| 1| 0
Percent While Attending the College| 0.0%| 16.7%| 0.0%
After Training at the College| 3| 4| 4
Percent After Training at the College| 50.0%| 66.7%| 80.0%
Location of Employment (related and unrelated) Count
Percents| 2022| 2023| 2024
---|---|---|---
Number of Employment Location Responses| 6| 6| 5
In College District| 5| 4| 5
Percent In College District| 83.3%| 66.7%| 100.0%
In Wisconsin, Not in District| 1| 1| 0
Percent of In Wisconsin| 16.7%| 16.7%| 0.0%
Outside of Wisconsin| 0| 1| 0
Percent Outside Wisconsin| 0.0%| 16.7%| 0.0%
Employer Location Unknown| 0| 0| 0
Percent Location Unknown| 0.0%| 0.0%| 0.0%
Salary TrendSalary Trend| 2022| 2023| 2024
---|---|---|---
Full Time Employment (Related Job)| Full Time Salary Count| 4| 4| 4
Average Monthly Wage| $3,128| $4,010| $3,612
Average Hourly Wage| $18.19| $23.31| $21.00
Average Work Hours per Week| 39.5| 40.8| 40.8
Part Time Employment (Related Job)| Part Time Salary Count| | 1|
Average Hourly Wage| | $22.15|
Average Work Hours per Week| | 16.0|

Graduate Employers

Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024Employer(s)| Job Title| City*| State**| Positions
---|---|---|---|---
Capital Millwork| Woodworker| DeForest| |
Private Individual| Millwork Production Worker| Sun Prairie| |
UW - Madison Division of Housing| Furniture Repair Technician| | |
Workspace Studio| Cabinet Maker| Middleton| |

• • Only cities outside of Madison will display.

** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.