As we look ahead to a year full of promise and opportunity, I’m once again struck by how our industry responded to what was another very challenging year. Our sector had to adapt to working under lockdown restrictions, as well as overcoming major challenges influencing the market, such as supply chain interruption, the increase in the cost of materials, and labour shortages, to name a few. We know from a recent BWF membership survey that these challenges remain at the forefront of our members’ minds in 2022, and the BWF will continue to address these head on.

CHAMPIONING TIMBER

Throughout last year, to support our sector’s progress and ensure our voice was heard, we worked hard alongside our members and industry partners to overcome major roadblocks, while looking at new and innovative ways of raising the profile of the sector with government and other stakeholders.

The BWF will continue to promote our 6-Point Blueprint for Wood throughout the coming 12 months and progress our rigorous programme of meeting with MPs to ensure the woodworking and joinery sector is placed in a strong position with government. We will use this opportunity to address many of their own challenging targets, such as achieving net zero by 2050, if not sooner. We know that the environment and sustainability agenda is a key priority for individuals and businesses alike, and it is imperative that we all understand the role we can play in meeting these targets.

We will continue to promote the benefits of wood as a sustainable building material and use our Build it Better with Wood campaign to communicate why wood should be considered by homeowners and developers for windows and doors, staircases, home furnishings and as a construction material, where possible.

DRIVING THE FIRE SAFETY AGENDA

Discussions over fire safety and lifesaving critical products such as fire doors remain a high priority for government. This is high on our agenda too, especially with the draft of the Building Safety Bill moving through parliament.

As part of our efforts in driving best practice and helping educate specifiers of fire doors, last year we launched our Be Certain Be Certified awareness campaign to promote the importance of third-party certification and what key audiences should be looking for when procuring lifesaving products such as fire doors. We will develop this campaign throughout 2022 to continue to raise awareness of this important issue.

We have seen the new Code for Construction Products Information (CCPI) launched by the Construction Products Association in response to the issues raised in Dame Judith Hackitt’s ‘Building a Safer Future’ report. The Code aims to set the benchmark for how product information is presented and marketed by manufacturers. We are awaiting further details on the changes this will bring about for members, in particular how it will impact the products they manufacture and market, and we’ll be providing updates, support and guidance as the code is implemented.

With the government looking to implement many changes in the built environment, ensuring that our members voices are heard will be key throughout 2022. The BWF will respond and comment on consultations and amendments to regulations that will impact on the woodworking and joinery sector, as well as representing the industry on technical committees. We will continue to provide our members with detailed insight, and we’re delighted that, as part of this, BWF technical director Kevin Underwood has been appointed as vice-chair of the Construction Products Technical Committee, and chair of BSI Technical Committee for Stairs (B/208).

PRIORITISING DEVELOPMENT

Developing the skills of our current and future workforce is one of our biggest priorities as an industry and remains one of my personal goals as CEO of the BWF. We need to look at new ways to attract and develop talent and increase the competence levels in our sector, as well as tackling the skills gap we’re seeing in the wider construction industry.

This has been a key focus over the last 12 months, resulting in the development of e-learning and face-to-face training courses, which are available to members and non-members in the sector. We’ve also had fantastic success and uptake of the first quality assured training course, which we launched with the National College Open Network (NOCN). To date, over 600 individuals have gained knowledge in the principles of Fire Door Installation and a further 195 have taken our new e-learning course in Fire Door Awareness.

This year will see the development and launch of more online training courses across areas including windows, doors and stairs, in order to educate, inform and upskill those who are new to the industry, as well as those wanting to build on their existing knowledge.

At the start of the year, it’s important to recognise the challenges that our industry has overcome and look ahead to the opportunities for the woodworking and joinery manufacturing sector. The BWF looks forward to helping members maximise these opportunities and continuing to support the wider industry.