New training collaboration launched between woodworking industry bodies

A joint initiative to tackle the skills shortage in the woodworking and joinery sector has been launched by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) which are working together for the first time.

The BWF and NAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week, committing to collaboration between their respective training bodies, the BWF's Wood Industry Training Forum and the NAS's Shopfitting Independent Training Forum.

Iain McIlwee (pictured right), chief executive of the BWF, said:

"Our sector is currently facing a significant skills shortage, and at least 10 percent of companies cite this as a major factor constraining growth. According to CITB figures, the woodworking industry needs to attract an additional 4,260 people every year for the next four years. At the same time, we are seeing the number of schools and FE colleges supporting woodworking and joinery courses declining. The BWF is lobbying hard on such issues, and we're delighted there are such good opportunities ahead to make a practical difference by working in partnership with the NAS."

Robert Hudson (pictured left), director of the NAS, said:

"Our objective is to ensure this skills shortage does not reach crisis point. By working collaboratively, we will be better able to attract new entrants into the industry, train them well and encourage a culture of ongoing learning across the sector. The NAS fully supports better training across the manufacture and installation of timber products, and we very much value this new working relationship with like-minded colleagues at the BWF."

As part of the agreement between the BWF and NAS, both organisations will be sharing information and insights on training, accreditation, certification, codes of conduct and other areas of best practice.  BWF and NAS member companies will get reciprocal rates for training courses.

The BWF and NAS will also target activities to attract new talent into the industry, as well as exploring options for developing a shared CPD framework and setting up regional centres of excellence to support the training needs to the sector.

The National Association of Shopfitters is the leading trade association for the shopfitting and interior contracting industry and has around 200 members working in a divers range of sectors including retail, financial services, leisure, hotels, restaurants, museums and travel.

The British Woodworking Federation is the trade association for the woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry in the UK. It has 700 members drawn from manufacturers, distributors and installers of timber doors, windows, conservatories, staircases, furniture, all forms of architectural joinery as well as suppliers to the industry. The woodworking sector as a whole is a £3.8 billion industry operating at the heart of UK manufacturing.