Apply for training cash, NWTTA president urges

Up to £10,500 is available for North West Timber Trade Association (NWTTA) members to fund training, but they need to apply for it soon.

That was the message from NWTTA president Jonathan Grant at the organisation’s annual dinner in Liverpool.

He told the 222-strong audience that the Association had decided to allocate some of its own cash surplus to training and that it could also point companies in the direction of a range of government funding. However, with the election approaching, the future availability of the latter could not be guaranteed, putting a deadline on applications.

“Up to £7,000 of training money is available for each company from government,” he said. “There is also a further £2,500 available per person for apprentice training and the NWTTA contribution of up to £700, or £100 per individual. If you add up the numbers, you can get £10,500 worth of free training for your staff.”

He urged interested businesses to contact the NWTTA as soon as possible.

Also at the dinner, Timber Trade Federation president Kevin Hayes urged members to support its Responsible Purchasing Policy (RPP) and the revived wood for good campaign.

Mr Hayes said that the RPP scheme, which enables TTF members to show they’ve exercised “due diligence” to ensure their timber suppliers are environmentally sound, was a key weapon for defending the industry’s green credentials.

“It should be seen us as an industry getting our act together, not a pain in the neck,” he said. “And the costs are not high relative to the benefits to your business.”

Mr Hayes also said that the revamped Wood for Good was the vehicle for “shouting about our products” and recommended companies to tie in their local or national marketing with the campaign’s upcoming press advertising.