New Joinery qualification and apprenticeships on the way

The BWF and a number of members have been working hard to develop new qualifications for the joinery sector, plus updated apprenticeships in line with the changes pushed through by government.

New Joinery Qualification

Working with ProSkills, we are developing a new S/NVQ which will fit within an apprenticeship (or separately) for the Joinery Sector entitled Wood Product Manufacturing. The new qualification is being written with the help of BWF member companies to ensure it meets the modern needs of the industry.

It will be a flexible qualification, allowing each company to select specific units for their operations, so they get the exact skills they needs from their apprentices or other staff. It is being structured so that specific unit choices mean it can be effective for both volume manufacturers and the Micro and SME joinery manufacturer.

The units have been written and are currently being reviewed by the Awarding Body who will issue the qualification upon the candidate completing their study. It will sit within the Wood Apprenticeship framework developed by ProSkills with the wider timber industry.

Once approved, it will allow funding to be drawn down from government for apprenticeships across the UK, and in some cases, may attract funding for S/NVQ only.

Those companies in-scope of CITB can still put their staff through the qualification and claim apprenticeship grants, or NVQ achievement – the BWF’s OSAT funding will also be available for the NVQ once launched.

New Apprenticeship Structure

CITB has been creating a new Apprenticeship Standard in line with the new structure outlined by government. Known as the trailblazer project, the standard must be written by employers.

The new apprenticeship framework looks set to introduce a 3-year minimum for bench joiners, and the qualification/apprenticeship will be renamed architectural joinery.

BWF undertook a review of the NVQ in 2012/13, and therefore the new standard will incorporate our work in this area. It is expected the new standard will be in operation in September 2014.  

A similar process is to begin with the ProSkills Wood/Timber apprenticeship framework, although this is unlikely to be implemented until at least 2015. The remaining frame work (which the new Wood Product Manufacturing qualification will be a part of) will continue in operation allowing employers to draw down funding for their training.

For more information on the new wood product manufacturing qualification and the changes to the apprenticeship frameworks, please contact dave.campbell@bwf.org.uk