Woodworking apprenticeships grow

Two-thirds of British Woodworking Federation (BWF) members registered for funding through the ConstructionSkills scheme last year, leading to a rise in grant-aided apprenticeships.

The number of grant-aided apprenticeships went up from 613 in 2006 to 714 in 2007, aided by the work of the Woodworking Industry Training Forum, according to the BWF.

The organisation added that the industry saw 2,200 women entering the workforce last year, with £9,000 of additional funding from ConstructionSkills now available for the training of women managers to enhance their skills base.

“I am delighted that BWF members are making such good use of the grants available to them through ConstructionSkills,” said BWF president Pauline Kelly.

“As a woman in what used to be an almost exclusively male industry I am heartened to see an increase in the number of women entering the woodworking industry, and hope that this positive trend continues for many years to come.”

Ms Kelly added the training of existing employees remains an integral part of the industry’s future, going hand-in-hand with the development of a new generation of workers.