In this issue the TTJ Awards Supplement features the finalists in all the categories of the sector’s most prestigious annual event. On this page we cast the spotlight on one of the categories that is judged by a panel of wood industry specialists, the Career Development Award. The category is split into two sections, ‘Over 25’ and ‘Under 25’.
Jan Antonovics, of training provider TFT Woodexperts Ltd, has been looking into the recent history of this event and the role that wood science qualifications have played in attracting entrants and producing many of the winners.
“Looking back, I was at the 2015 lunch to support three candidates, one of whom, from the Lathams Group, was declared the winner of the Under 25 section,” she said. “Lathams had always used the Institute of Wood Science Level 2 Timber Studies course (now the IOM3 Timber and Panel Products Award). Dominic Manfredini, from Leeds, who won in his category, wanted to do more to progress his career. Meetings were conducted a few weeks later, at the then Timber Expo and subsequently, a number of other major companies emerged, leading to the huge success of what is now the Woodexperts’ Level 4 Certificate in Wood Science and Timber Technology, which has been running for six years since that time.
“James Latham plc has been a strong supporter of the qualification and 10 candidates for the exam came forward in that first year, one of whom, Toby Hughff, was nominated in 2017, another in 2018, and Latham’s have also put forward a third, Emma Atkins, this year,” continued Ms Antonovics.
“Ridgeons Forest Products – now part of Huws Gray – also sent three staff on the first wood science course, a confidence that was rewarded when Chris Wait triumphed in the Under 25 category a year later, and they have entered in 2021, with newly-qualified Samantha Bedford.
“Major national merchant Jewson was the next to make a commitment and an initial group of six began their studies in 2016, with one nominee shortlisted for the awards in 2017. Since then, a further 18 students from that company have been welcomed onto the course, the winner of the Over 25 Category for 2019 having been produced in Gareth Nicholls. He went on to be promoted and took on a new job mentoring and training ‘timber champions’ in his role as regional timber support manager.
“Key importer and distributor Hanson Plywood has also featured heavily in the student numbers, with all its new entrants at sales level and above being encouraged to complete the Woodexperts course,” continued Ms Antonovics. “Its success this year has resulted in two entrants in the Over 25 section: Shaun Webster and Luke Wilczynski.
“Another big player, the National Timber Group, which was not even in existence when the current certificate course began, also have a candidate entered in this year’s Awards, Thornbridge Timber’s Ian Paterson, a first for wood science entrants from Scotland.
“Other key supporters include Arbor Forest Products, B&K Structures, GE Robinson & Co, Palmer Timber and Vastern Timber, plus other independent students from across the UK timber sector.”
“We wish all our students good luck in the TTJ Awards,” added Woodexperts’ director Jim Coulson, who was responsible for creating, writing and initially tutoring some of the first courses.
“Wood Science is clearly a major factor in achieving success in this most prestigious timber trade event,” he added.
