Sixteen leading timber trade associations and industry bodies have reached an accord to address education, training and skills development in the sector.
Members of the Education & Training Group (also known as the Norton House Group), which represents the majority of timber industry employers and employees, have agreed to work together to tackle the crucial subject following its January meeting.
Participating organisations include The Timber Trade Federation, British Woodworking Federation, Wood Panel Industries Federation, UK Forest Products Association, Builders Merchants Federation, TRADA, ConFor and Institute of Wood Science.
The organisations acknowledged that the timber industry has fallen behind in comparison with other sectors and has not been able to take advantage of government funding.
They also recognise that despite the serious downturn, the importance of people could not be overlooked and the industry needed to make itself more visible and attractive to those seeking careers.
“The agreement of this accord represents a major milestone in the development of our industry and I am optimistic that the momentum already built up will gather and some really useful work for the sector as a whole will result,” said Charles Grant, group chairman.
The accord is the first step of a plan to co-ordinate education and training resources already made available.
