Developing assets

25 June 2011


As the TTJ Career Development Award opens for entries, Camilla Hair of sponsor SCA Timber Supply catches up with some of the previous winners

Summary
• The TTJ Career Development Award has two categories: trainee, aged 16-25 and continuing development for 25 and over.
• It is sponsored by SCA Timber Supply.
• This year’s TTJ Awards will be held at the Grand Hall, Grand Connaught Rooms, London on September 15.
• Shortlisted entrants will be invited to the presentation lunch.


Developing the next generation of timber industry leaders is the motivation behind the TTJ Career Development Awards, sponsored by SCA Timber Supply. But “does training pay?” is a question often asked. The answer is very firmly provided by former Career Development Award winners who’ve stayed with their employers and become valuable assets to their companies.

James White won the first TTJ Career Development Award in 2003, is still with James Latham plc and has risen through the ranks. “From sales representative at James Latham’s Purfleet depot I became sales manager in 2005, and then was promoted to depot manager here at Dudley in 2009,” said Mr White. “I now manage this site, and am helping to grow James Latham’s customer base in the West Midlands.

“I get involved in many aspects of the business, having had ‘people’ training and management training over the years,” he added. “I’ve also expanded my timber knowledge from basic softwoods and hardwoods to include panel products and other developments. I’m happy inside the James Latham business ‘family’ and my career is progressing very well. I want to continue making a good contribution to the business.”

Marketing diploma

Alison Murphy, 2010’s winner in the over 25s category, is also progressing up the career ladder. Currently deputy marketing manager for Wolseley’s Build Centers, Alison is looking to progress to brand marketing manager level, and is set to complete her CIM Marketing Diploma this summer.

Ian Wharton, winner of the 2008 under 25s Award, says it’s the individual’s and the company’s joint responsibility to gain a return on training. He has made rapid progress at Holbrook Timber Frame Ltd in the last three years.

“It definitely helps to have a good employer, one who allows their human resources the time and the freedom to develop their talents,” he said. “It’s also down to the individual to make a success of the training they’re offered. You have to have the will to succeed.

“I’m now a senior designer,” he continued. “The management training I’ve received in the last few years means that, at 23, I’m the lead designer on several projects, from small residential developments to large commercial and fast-moving projects. I liaise directly with architects and clients, managing the design timeline along with budgets and costs. On the design side I have detailed projects on disproportionate collapse. The company has successfully completed several Passivhaus developments, from which I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge on thermal bridging and air-tightness detailing which greatly exceeds those usually required for UK Building Regulations.”

Management interests

Mr Wharton is also focused on the path ahead. “I want to keep up the pace of my development, so I can get more deeply involved in the management of Holbrook Timber Frame,” he said. “It would give me more of an overview on the factors influencing the development of our business and help me to understand how I can make a further contribution to the company’s success.”

Abel Munoz, technical manager at James Jones & Sons, won the TTJ Career Development Award in 2006. “I’m immensely interested in the technical side of the business,” he said. “My role has developed to include many of the current issues the industry is facing, such as life cycle assessment. Each day’s work holds tremendous variety.

Environmental focus

“You have to look at timber holistically, not as an isolated commodity,” he added. “Life cycle assessment will no doubt get higher up the agenda in the coming years and it’s certainly an increasing area of specialisation for me, working alongside our environmental manager.

“In the past five years I’ve come from working with quality systems, standards and certification into much more detailed areas such as environmental profiles. I’m also regularly in contact with architects and engineers through my technical work in the design office. It’s most enjoyable to have such a varied brief and I look forward to continually developing my knowledge and understanding.”

And Mr Munoz has some advice for entrants to the 2011 TTJ Career Development Awards: “I would say to anyone wanting to move up through the industry that it’s up to you to make things happen for yourself. You have to have enough drive to move forward. You also have to work in a supportive company that recognises your development as an asset to the business.”

Pictured at last year's TTJ Awards presentation, from left: Rob Simpson, SCA Timber Supply; managing director; Alison Murphy; and guest speaker Karren Brady Pictured at last year's TTJ Awards presentation, from left: Rob Simpson, SCA Timber Supply; managing director; Alison Murphy; and guest speaker Karren Brady
Ian Wharton has made rapid progress in his career at Holbrook Timber Frame Ian Wharton has made rapid progress in his career at Holbrook Timber Frame
Abel Munoz: 'It's up to you to make things happen for yourself' Abel Munoz: 'It's up to you to make things happen for yourself'