Onboarding plan
Wood Model Maker Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new wood model maker from first day to full productivity.
Wood Model Maker onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: Woodworking certificate, CAD certificate (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: table saws; laser cutters; CNC routers; hand tools
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Wood Model Maker training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Use saw guards
- Wear eye and dust protection
- Ventilate laser cutters
- Keep tools sharp
- Shadow an experienced wood model maker through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: build an architectural massing model
- Supervised practice: convert real dimensions to scale
- Supervised practice: finish a wood model for presentation
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Read drawings: independently
- Build models: independently
- Machine wood parts: independently
- Use CNC and laser cutters: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, Woodworking certificate)
- Discuss the career path: Shop Assistant → Model Maker → Senior Model Maker
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build an Architectural Massing Model | |||
| Convert Real Dimensions to Scale | |||
| Finish a Wood Model for Presentation | |||
| Woodworking | |||
| Scale reading | |||
| CNC routing | |||
| Laser cutting |
How to measure onboarding success
- Time to independent work orders
- Comeback, rework or scrap rate
- Billable or productive hours versus target
- 90-day retention
How Wood Model Maker training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Wood Model Maker Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Wood Model Maker Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Wood Model Maker Career
- Final Knowledge Check