Training aids industry competition

The UK’s timber industry is a key supplier to many areas of the national economy, which depend on a reliable, high-quality supply to produce their goods. While the efficiency of production is clearly key to the timber industry’s long-term future, there are also other factors to consider, not least that of how to maintain quality while still keeping prices competitive.

Unfortunately some employers still believe that quantity is more important than quality and reach only the minimum production standards in the rush to improve efficiency. Their attitude seems to be: why provide more than is expected when this is only going to create unnecessary costs? But is this really the reputation the UK timber industry wants?

Timber suppliers should be striving to provide a high-quality service, which will ensure they gain repeat orders and build a reputation for excellence. The major businesses that use timber are commercially savvy, know what they want and will shop around to find it, and companies that fail to respond will quickly find themselves left behind.

This presents a real challenge in the current financial climate, where short-term commercial pressures mean many companies feel they cannot commit to skills development, even though the benefits are well documented. These pressures are particularly acute on the small and medium-sized companies that make up much of the UK timber sector.

So how can employers train their workforce and equip them with the skills they need to face emerging challenges while remaining competitive now? First, let’s identify some of the reasons why employers don’t train their staff; major issues include the expense involved, lack of relevant training on offer, lack of time and the fear that trained staff may leave to join competitors.

Of these issues there are some that only employers themselves can address, but assistance is available for companies that want to invest in their staff, and to prepare for a future where skills will be at a premium. We at Proskills know the importance of training, and are committed to helping the UK’s process and manufacturing industries invest in skills development.

In the past year, Proskills has secured £3.5m of government investment to support higher-level skills that will help improve efficiency in the sector. We were awarded Joint Investment Programme (JIP) funds for 2011, and wood companies can get funding for up to 50% of the cost of qualifications. This will help companies provide training to managers across their organisations on important issues like lean procedures and processes.

Schemes such as the JIP are an important potential source of funding for employers, particularly with government support from programmes like Train to Gain disappearing and the economic outlook remaining uncertain. Companies are keen to keep costs down, but they also need to invest in training if they are to thrive in the modern market, and the opportunities are there to help them do so.

Proskills is visiting timber companies all over the country, from large to smaller enterprises with just a few staff – all of whom are interested in the opportunities which can help them develop. Employer investment in training schemes will help the UK timber industry compete in the emerging global market.

UK timber companies have to develop new techniques and skills if they are to compete for tomorrow’s business and maintain their place at the forefront of development.