At the event, organised under the banner of The Timber Trade Federation’s (TTF) education, training and careers committee, and hosted by the Building Crafts College, delegates were able to hear speakers from across the supply chain, from forestry to carpentry and joinery, share their personal and professional experiences.
Jim Smith of the Forestry Commission talked about getting started in forestry and arboriculture and Robert Allinson of Weyerhaeuser Products gave a young person’s perspective on working in the industry.
John Appleton of the Building Crafts College spoke on the opportunities offered by east London’s regeneration programme, while Ray Eldridge of the Institute of Carpenters talked about carpentry and joinery studies.
Also speaking were Camilla Hair of SCA Timber Supply and a TTF committee member, on timber-related qualifications from across the sector, while TTF chief executive John White gave a background to the industry and responsible timber purchasing.
The TTF education committee hopes to hold further events around the country.
The aim is to ensure pan-industry representation, thereby presenting careers advisers with a complete picture of the opportunities offered by the sector. The advisers are then referred to www.thedoorway.org.uk for further details on career profiles and route maps into the sector.
