The Timber Trades Journal has announced that it is launching a Trainee of the Year category to its Annual Timber Trade Awards next year.
The new Award is being developed in conjunction with the Institute of Wood Science. TTJ editor Mike Jeffree said: ” It is widely acknowledged that, since the demise of the Timber Trades Training Association, training in this industry has not been of the standard or consistency needed in today’s competitive and demanding market. But that is now clearly changing. Many individual companies are taking the issue far more seriously, the TTF has expressed its commitment to improving education and training generally and new, modern courses have recently been launched, notably by the Institute of Wood Science.”
He added that the new Award was “in recognition of this progress ” and is intended to help carry it forward.
Companies will be invited to nominate trainees for the prize and the entries will then be judged on a range of criteria, including qualifications gained, contribution to the business, work ethic and commitment to the trade.
IWSc Geoff Bagnall is strongly behind the launch of the new award and said it should help build on the efforts of the Instituteto enhance UK timber trade training, notably with the launch of its Foundation Course.
