WITforum board expands

The Woodworking Industry Training Forum (WITForum), administered by the British Woodworking Federation, has welcomed eight new members to the board.

The new members include representatives from joinery companies of all sizes: Waller (Yorkshire) Ltd; Tompkins Ltd; HB Traditional Joinery; Parker & Highland Joinery; Arnold Laver Timber World; Elmwood Joinery (East Anglia) Ltd; Oakwrights (Bath) Ltd; and Jeld-Wen UK Ltd.

The revamped Board will meet for the first time this month to set the WITForum’s plans and priorities for 2011 and beyond, and will oversee input into the qualification development being undertaken by Proskills.

WITForum chair Pauline Kelly said training was vital to the long-term success of the woodworking industry. “We’re in a fortunate position to be able to represent the views of our members in a number of qualification reviews to ensure that those available provide the skills necessary to succeed, and help ensure the future of the industry. As government purse strings are tightened and the amount of funding available for training is reduced, the Board will play a vital role in channelling our limited resources to achieve the best for the industry,” she said.

WITForum manager Dave Campbell said the new members joined at a crucial time as funding cuts loomed and qualifications were being reviewed and redeveloped.