BWF training role
4th July 2017

The British Woodworking Federation has appointed Tony Batchelor as its new Training Manager following the departure of former Membership & Training Director Dave Campbell.

Tony will be responsible for delivering on the Federation’s three core training objectives of increasing recruitment into the sector; maintaining and developing high quality qualifications and delivery partners, and fostering a culture of continuous learning in the industry. 

BWF Chief Executive Iain McIlwee said of the appointment: "Perhaps the biggest change the joinery sector currently faces is to the skills landscape. With CITB's role under review, changes to Apprenticeship Funding, and core qualifications being radically reformed, there are huge opportunities for BWF to help develop the training environment that the industry needs.

"We have a good training strategy, but to meet these challenges and opportunities head on we need a fully focussed and dedicated training post within BWF. Now for the first time we have a dedicated training manager role which isn’t split with other responsibilities.”

Tony has previously engaged with construction industry representatives across the four home nations to develop National Occupational Standards, training and qualification solutions, and trailblazer apprenticeships for a wide range of occupational areas.

Having spent the early years of his working life in the public transport sector, Tony worked on training and skills projects for much of his subsequent career including a spell contracted to the British Council to deliver training on vocational and educational projects in Asia.