Industry Update*

Focus on high levels of HSE enforcement for wood dust

HSE enforcement at woodworking premises for employers failing to control exposure to wood dust remains at a high level...

BWF News Update No 207

In this week's News Update, we look at the latest ONS figures as the construction industry recovery peters out, and bring you an update on the mandatory CE marking of construction products...

This category will feature products from a wide range of sectors and applications and the judges will be looking for really solid evidence of innovation. I'd encourage any BWF member who has a ... Read more »

Construction Recovery Peters Out as Economy Goes into Reverse

The GDP figures published today by ONS show that construction output fell by 3.3% in the final quarter of 2010, the largest fall since the height of the recession in early 2009...

Defra Reviewing Air Pollution Guidance for Large Manufacturers

Defra are reviewing the air pollution guidance note relating to the manufacturers of timber and wood based products. The review relates to Process Guidance Note 6/02, and has been called in order ... Read more »

John Hayes Delivers New Quality Guarantee For Apprenticeships

Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Minister John Hayes today announced new measures to guarantee the quality of the Government's flagship Apprenticeship programme, ensuring every ... Read more »

Government Sets Time Limits to Ensure Fair Payment in Construction Supply Chain

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has announced that construction procurers in central government departments, their agencies and non-departmental public bodies will need to ensure that ... Read more »

Employers urged to put National Apprenticeship week in the diary

With National Apprenticeship Week (7-11th February) looming, CITB-ConstructionSkills is urging construction companies to visit one of their local events and find out what a ConstructionSkills ... Read more »

Apprenticeship Awards 2011 are now open

The Apprenticeship Awards are the most prestigious event in the Apprenticeships calendar. This annual competition, hosted by the National Apprenticeship Service, celebrates the success of the top ... Read more »

Blairs Join The Performance Timber Products Group

The Performance Timber Products Group (PTPG) has reached an agreement with Joint Receivers Fiona Taylor and Colin Dempster of Ernst & Young LLP to buy the assets and trade of Blairs Limited of ... Read more »

Coalition Government to Make Parental Leave More Flexible for Employees

The Department for Business (BIS) will soon be launching a consultation to explore proposals for a more flexible system of parental leave. The new system will enable mothers and fathers to share ... Read more »

Wood Window Alliance On TV

Make sure you watch the "How to..." documentary on improving your home's energy-efficiency with double glazing...

Joinery Industry Looks To Future After Uneven 2010

The joinery sector reflected on a year that, although uneven in terms of demand, generally exceeded the gloomy expectations that many manufacturers had held. Unfortunately, 2010 ended on ... Read more »

WRAP Announce Free Workshops to Help Specialist Contractors Reduce Their Carbon Emissions

NSCC and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) are holding free, half day workshops in London, Birmingham and Leeds to help specialist contractors reduce carbon emissions from their activities...

Are my employees entitled to paid time off for the Royal Wedding Bank holiday?

Any right to time off or extra pay for working on a bank holiday depends on an individual's contract of employment. If not specified within their contract, then an employee won't have an ... Read more »