A new online facility will make it easier for timber trade employers to find young people matching their apprenticeships and work placements.
The Woodworking Industry Training Forum (WITForum), run by the British Woodworking Federation, has launched the service in response to comments from the trade that there are not enough skilled workers to satisfy demand, and help overcome a shortage of skilled employees entering the sector.
School leavers and young people will be able to quickly search jobs listed by employers on the site, giving them easier access to the jobs available. This will, in turn, provide employers with more candidates for their positions, according to the WITForum.
“We strongly encourage employers to use this service to recruit and train apprentices in the skills they feel are missing from today’s workforce,” said Leah Williams, WITForum manager.
“New college funding is influenced by how they meet the needs of the industry, and so we are hoping that this too will help to address the skills deficit within the woodworking industry.”
The matching facility is available on www.BWF.org.uk/wit-forum.