Organisations representing the entire timber industry supply chain have backed a move to boost training and skills in the sector.
A unanimous decision to engage Proskills as the new Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the timber industry was taken by members of the pan-industry Norton House Timber Education Group.
Backers include The Timber Trade Federation (TTF), TRADA, ConFor, Trussed Rafter Association, UK Timber Frame Association, British Woodworking Federation, Institute of Wood Science, British Wood Flooring Association, Forest Education Initiative, UK Forest Products Association and Wood Panel Industries Federation.
A number of other organisations are expected to endorse the move shortly, the Norton House group said.
Involving Proskills, the SSC for the process and manufacturing sector, is designed to accelerate the work previously undertaken by UKWoodchain, the standard-setting body for the timber sector which has developed National Occupational Standards for the industry.
Proskills has a building products division covering precast concrete and clay building products and also deals with the paper, coatings and furniture sectors. Its work centres on reducing skills gaps and shortages, improving industry productivity, boosting workforce skills and improving learning supply.
“Ensuring that the timber industry maintains a pool of well-educated, well-trained personnel is vital to the long-term success of the industry,” said Norton House Group chairman Keith Fryer.
Mr Fryer said the group was grateful for UKWoodchain’s work to date, but being part of a larger body like Proskills should help the industry raise overall training levels and skills provision and “make the timber industry an attractive choice for potential employees”.
TTF chief executive John White said the development would be a “game changer” for the industry. He said properly training and educating the workforce would improve the industry’s ability to service the customer.
The next step will be to review current industry standards and qualifications, followed by initiatives which may include developing an apprenticeship scheme.
