BRITISH WOODWORKING FEDERATION AND ITS MEMBERS CHAMPION NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

The construction industry accounts for 7% of all apprenticeships in the UK, and the woodworking sector has one of the highest ratios of apprentices in the UK economy. As supporters of #NAW2019 National Apprenticeship Week (4 – 8 March 2019) the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and its members are sharing their insight into why apprentices are vital to the woodworking industry and the varied careers available to today’s apprentices.

Woodworking is an extremely diverse sector with design, production and management roles, as well as office-based marketing and sales roles, making it a career of choice for people with a variety of skillsets.

Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation said:

“The construction industry is a growing sector, with the Construction Industry Training Body (CITB) Construction Skills Network report predicting that approximately 168,500 construction jobs will be created in the UK over the next five years, with the industry expected to employ 2.79 million by 2023.

“Encouraging the next generation into the woodworking sector to help reach these targets is vital, and as an organisation we have a major responsibility to ensure this happens and champion initiatives such as National Apprenticeship Week.

“BWF members lead the way and offer apprenticeship schemes that support the development of the next generation of talented woodworkers. Sharing their unrivalled industry experience and skills, our members help ensure that the passion for woodworking and joinery is passed on to today’s students and tomorrow’s tradespeople.”

To celebrate the talent and success of apprentices across the UK, the BWF is also supporting the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) UK-wide Charity Challenge and Apprentice Competition to mark NAS’s centenary celebrations, which will take place live at Leeds College of Building on 20th June 2019.

The aim of the competition is to enlist the involvement of 100 companies and to raise £100,000 in cash or in kind. Winners of the competition – which is open to 3rd year Apprentices within NAS and British Woodworking Federation companies – will receive a cash prize along with tools provided by Brandon Hire Station and a trophy.

About The British Woodworking Federation (BWF):  is the trade association for the woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry in the UK.  It has 700 members drawn from manufacturers, distributors and installers of timber doors, windows, conservatories, staircases, furniture, all forms of architectural joinery including shop fitting, timber frame buildings and engineered timber components, as well as suppliers to the industry. The woodworking sector as a whole is a £3.8 billion industry operating at the heart of UK manufacturing. The BWF bring together individuals and companies within the industry to share problems and experiences and find solutions together.