FEATURE SKILLS & EDUCATION
The Keys to Future Growth As we build back better and greener post pandemic, there will be an added emphasis on skills and training, says Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF). Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
apprenticeships will also enable smaller and
programme, which will be in development
project-led businesses to create apprenticeship
next year.
roles, with apprentices completing their
In addition to growing our portfolio of training opportunities, we’re also evolving
course across a number of short employment opportunities within the sector.
how we deliver these to our members. Our
Helen Hewitt, BWF CEO
T
businesses to encourage the next generation
online training provision, meeting a vital need
into our profession, and through the BWF
for today’s remote learning environment and
Wood Industry Training (WIT) Forum, we
helping to develop a resilient training offer
work closely with funding partners to support
for our sector. We’re also looking at how we
member training activity to improve and
can make our online learning more interactive
increase skills across the sector.
he COVID-19 pandemic has
– for example, by using innovative gaming
undoubtedly had a significant
technology to bring training to life and to
impact on our sector’s skills
encourage upskilling within the industry.
and training efforts, reducing
This is a welcome investment in supporting
e-learning platform provides access to quality
We are encouraged to see that
School initiatives The BWF has launched several initiatives to help inspire students into a career in our sector
the opportunity for employers to provide
apprenticeship schemes are more widely
and showcase the wide range of opportunities
much needed apprenticeships and continued
being seen as a viable and rewarding
available to them. For example, the BWF’s
professional development for employees.
alternative to university across the talent
WOW I MADE THAT! programme is designed
But now, as the UK looks set to emerge from
pool. Apprenticeship schemes are now being
to provide secondary school students with the
the COVID crisis, skills and training provision
recognised as a way of starting on a rewarding
opportunity to develop an appreciation and
must become our sector’s most urgent
career path which allows young people to earn
love of woodworking, and gives teacher the
priority.
while they learn. It is therefore crucial that as
resources they need to achieve this.
Following the release of the IPCC report
a sector we act now to ensure other sectors
on the impacts of global warming, and in the
don’t lay claim to this emerging talent pool.
The programme provides the vital foundation for students considering a career
run up to COP26, the importance of promoting
This has been recognised by new
within the sector and opens up the world
‘green jobs’ in line with net zero targets cannot
government funding for high quality
of woodworking to them early on. This is
be overlooked. The UK government has outlined
traineeships and increased incentives for
particularly important for those who may not
a series of green programmes providing adults
employers to take on apprentices. New flexible
have realised the variety of opportunities
with the skills needed to pursue a career in a
available to them or who are looking for an
sustainable field – as a sector we must advocate
alternative path to going to university. We must promote the opportunities
for careers in woodworking and joinery and promote the opportunities we provide to upskill
available in our sector for skills and training
and reskill. So, what are the key areas where we
provision in order to attract a new talent
should be focusing our efforts as a sector to
workforce of people looking to work in
ensure future growth?
sustainable lower carbon sectors like ours. To ensure our sector continues to grow
Apprenticeship schemes
year on year, we must focus in particular on apprenticeship schemes as a rewarding
The BWF is constantly reviewing its skills and training offering to ensure it meets the
alternative to university. We are a strong and
needs of our members. As our sector recovers
resilient sector, but this is down to the people
from the pandemic, we’re focusing our efforts
and skills that we retain. If we don’t continue
on establishing relationships with a wider
to nurture this, then we risk jeopardising
cohort of UK training providers to increase
the continued success and future growth
the range of skills, training solutions and the
of our sector. It’s essential that we seize the
choice of providers available to our members.
opportunity we have in front of us now.
The developments in our skills and training offering will also inform the BWF’s future
Timber Construction Magazine
Bailey Donkin, BWF Apprentice of the Year 2019
Autumn 2021
12
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