Woodmachining courses at Bexley College, Kent are under threat because of a lack of students and funding.
Machining lecturer David Mace is deeply upset that the NVQ courses may close at the end of the year, especially in view of the high rate of accidents in the woodmachining sector and the desperate skills shortage in the trade.
He said: ‘The Health and Safety Executive have expressed their concern about the nationwide lack of formal wood machine safety trained machine operatives. They say the high rate of accidents is due to the number of machinists that are not correctly trained – and that the accident rate will increase in the future.’
Mr Mace believes some companies are unwilling to fund training and lose staff to day release. He added: ‘I also think some companies are using unskilled labour while others are offering inadequate training in-house rather than send employees to college.’
This could get them in trouble with HM Inspectorate which says it will enforce proper training throughout the construction industry.
His views are endorsed by Francis Dalton of AL Dalton Ltd and a member of the board of management of the Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Association (WMSA).
He said: ‘There are many courses offering woodmachining training, which I know because of the WMSA award which 30 colleges have entered. But it is very disappointing that this course may close.
‘There’s a lack of training as companies are less willing to lose employees on day release. Some are using private training organisations and, increasingly, companies are trying to get away with a little bit of training from suppliers – which is OK but it is not enough.
‘The WMSA wants colleges to beef up their facilities – not see courses closing down.’
