Last month at Ecobuild, Proskills and PIABC, the awarding body, proudly launched the first three new sector specific qualifications for the wood and timber industries.
We are at the stage where it is now imperative that employers are aware of these and that people make the most of these nationally recognised qualifications for the industry.
These level 2 qualifications have been developed specifically for companies in the wood and timber industries for delivery in sawmilling (primary and secondary processing, timber protection) tooling technologies (saw doctoring) and timber merchant supplies.
It is extremely important to emphasise that these qualifications have been developed by the industry which has included working closely with the trade associations and their members. This has enabled Proskills to truly tailor the qualifications to meet industry needs.
Qualifications and national standards help improve the productivity and profitability of a business as well as being a great way to fill skills gaps and will provide learners with a greater route into the industry.
For an individual, formal qualifications are a great way to provide further options for continuous development, understanding further training needs and clear routes into career opportunities.
This is truly the first time the wood industry has worked together to start achieving a fully competent workforce for the future and it is imperative that we do not lose this momentum, enthusiasm and drive that have been created within the wood industry since it joined Proskills.
The effort the industry has put into working with Proskills has been exceptional and we are happy to be able to deliver these qualifications but we will not end here: we hope to continue this relationship in order to support the wood industry and look at further routes to upskilling the workforce.
We are delighted to say that industry has asked us to start developing a wood and timber and apprenticeship framework. This will allow the industry to attract and train new and young recruits into an exciting and rewarding sector.
The first qualifications for the wood and timber industries are now available to employers and learners and, although we have further development of qualifications in the pipeline for the industries, I want to emphasise the importance of using these qualifications.
The qualifications have a shelf-life of five years. PIABC, the timber and wood preferred awarding body, will be working closely with training providers making sure these qualifications are accessible.
We have a unique opportunity available to us for a limited amount of time and believe that employers need to start taking advantage of this.
If we do not use it we will lose it!
To find out more about these qualifications please contact me on 07827 158579 or at helen.hewitt@proskills.co.uk.
