The Welsh Forest Industries Group (WFIG) is linking up with the Institute of Wood Science (IWSc) in a venture to improv the knowledge and skills of timber-related businesses across rural Wales.
The initiative will use some of the £1.2m awarded to the timber and wood products industry by the Welsh Assembly and the EU to improve training and qualifications.
The WFIG will sponsor the development of modules which companies and individuals can use to gain membership of the IWSc. The modules are to be tested by early spring 2004 and will form part of the industry’s Learning Company scheme.
Peter Harland, chairman of TreeLine UK , the leading partner of WFIG, said: “Linking with the IWSc means we can build technical knowledge throughout our businesses, making the industry stronger and encouraging people to see real career paths in the different sectors.”
Meanwhile, funds for the Joint Development Initiative, a Welsh timber industry strategy designed to improve business performance, will be extended from £1.7m to £2m. This will allow all areas of Wales to benefit from its initiatives, not just the coastal counties.
Further applications are nearing final approval and will add £1m to wood chain development in Wales by the end of this year.
