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A Woodworking & Carpentry Trade School

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Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is an accredited, hands-on woodworking and carpentry trade school in Adrian, Michigan. SBWI offers an established Furniture Design program, with full-time Carpentry & Timber Framing and Architectural Carpentry & Preservation programs launching in Fall 2027. We also offer short woodworking classes for adults, makers, artists, veterans, tradespeople, and career changers.

News
Carving out a new path for people from all over America at a Lenawee County trade school
Carving out a new path for people from all over America at a Lenawee County trade school

LENAWEE CO., Mich. (WTVG) - A woodworking and carpentry trade school in Adrian attracts students from all over America is expanding its footprint.

The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is an accredited hands-on woodworking and carpentry trades college.

It’s described as a destination for craftsmanship, creativity and community. We got a first-hand look at it’s far-reaching impact Monday. In fact, it’s been so successful in the last decade that work on a new multi-million dollar facility is underway.

Luke Barnett is the co-founder and president of Sam Beauford. He is a carpenter by trade.

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SBWI Reports 95% In-Field Employment Rate for Furniture Design Class of 2025
SBWI Reports 95% In-Field Employment Rate for Furniture Design Class of 2025

Students who enjoy designing, building and working with their hands have a compelling reason to consider the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute: 95% of its 2025 Furniture Design graduates available for work are employed in their field (20 of 21 graduates available for employment), according to the school’s latest employment report.

Graduate employment data were independently verified by independent third-party through direct contact with graduates and their employers.

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Two students working togther using a chisel and a mallet in a woodworking class.

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Short Courses

Can’t attend a full-time program? SBWI offers a robust catalog of short courses to help you reach your goals.

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Earn a Living | Make a Life

Hear about these graduate journeys.

Featured
William Toth '24, Wood Design
William Toth '24, Wood Design

William Toth, 2024 graduate of the wood design program Talks about his new career as a furniture maker and woodworker.

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Ethan Lambrix '24 Wood Design Graduate & Custom Furniture Maker
Ethan Lambrix '24 Wood Design Graduate & Custom Furniture Maker

Hear what 2024 Grad Ethan Lambrix has to say about his current career, his passion for creating things, and his experience at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute.

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Conner Westerby '21, Wood Design
Conner Westerby '21, Wood Design

In this inspiring testimonial, we sit down with Conner Westerby, a 2021 graduate of the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute’s Wood Design program. Conner shares his journey from student to professional at Vogue Furniture in Detroit, where he now crafts high-end interiors and custom pieces for some of the industry’s most discerning clients. Discover how SBWI’s hands-on training and real-world projects prepared Conner to excel in a rapidly growing field, and learn why woodworking is an incredibly rewarding career path for anyone with a passion for creativity and craftsmanship.

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