Big names in joinery manufacturing sign up to industry’s first CPD scheme
9th October 2012

The British Woodworking Federation’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme is receiving backing from the most progressive firms in UK joinery manufacturing following launch of the scheme at W12.
 
Eleven organisations, including nine joinery companies, have shown their support already by signing up to the scheme.
 
Run by the BWF’s Woodworking Industry Training Forum (WITForum), the CPD programme offers all those working within the joinery and woodworking industry the opportunity to develop new skills and to gain recognition for training and personal development.  It is suitable for all job roles in any joinery business, from apprentice to managing director.
 
Representatives from the companies signed their names in a public display of commitment at the W12 exhibition, and have pledged to encourage all their staff to join the scheme.
 
Sharon Gorf, chairman of the WITForum and director of Parker & Highland Joinery said:

 “For a long time other industries have benefitted from CPD programmes. The BWF’s CPD programme is a first for the woodworking and joinery industry and is essential for the future development and professionalism of our sector. Improving training and up-skilling our people is vital to every business that wants to compete and thrive in today’s market.  I’m delighted to see so many companies signing up to support this initiative.”
 Alan Shearer, manager at Howarth Windows & Doors said:
 
“We fully support the CPD programme as this provides a vehicle to recognise the training and development of all personnel involved in the production of timber products. The CPD programme recognises that not everything revolves around attending a training course but also includes the softer development opportunities that arise from attending seminars, participating in industry meetings and networking with colleagues in the industry.

This provides our company and our employees with the opportunity to be recognised for the training and development that we commit to and undertake in the normal course of our business.”
 
Peter Love, director of Oakwrights said:
 
“It is important that a career continues to develop throughout a person’s working life, and we then want to keep that knowledge in our industry. Participating in the BWF’s CPD programme helps us do that, and gives Oakwrights a competitive edge while presenting a more professional image to customers and suppliers. Our ethos is based on quality and we believe that CPD can only benefit that approach.”
 
David Pattenden, managing director of Westgate Joinery said:
 
“I am very pleased to support the WITForum’s innovative plans to introduce a CPD programme for BWF member companies. Westgate will actively engage in the programme for staff at all levels across our business and trading divisions, linking it to the staff review programme already in place.

 “I would urge all member companies to actively embrace this initiative and sign up to the programme as a means of continually developing and up-skilling all their staff both for individual career progression and the longer term benefit of our industry as a whole. The BWF team has put some excellent work into developing the programme and it is now up to member companies to support it actively and make the programme an industry recognised standard.”
 
Peter Johnson, managing director of Vicaima said:
 
“Vicaima is delighted to be part of the CPD programme. The move will enable employees to enhance their skills and knowledge through training which has been impartially certified as meeting CPD requirements. The company expects to benefit from improved performance and productivity, while our customers will benefit from improved service.”
 
Dave Campbell, WITForum manager, says:

 “CPD is critical to boosting the professionalism and economic success of our industry. It’s good news for individual employees, including those in non-craft occupations in the industry, because it provides formal recognition for everything they achieve in terms of professional development throughout their career. 

 “It’s also critical for employers, helping to support and build a stronger workforce of skilled employees in all occupations across the company, and a framework for the development of companies. The programme links to any existing training and development plan in the company, so it will help the business to grow.  Being provided with a formal recognition of development, backed up by the Construction CPD Accreditation Service, staff morale will also increase leading to improved productivity.”
 
The nine companies that have signed up to the scheme so far are: Howarth Windows & Doors, Westgate Joinery, Oakwrights, Parker & Highland Joinery, Arnold Laver Timberworld, Elmwood Joinery, the Performance Window Group, Tompkins Wood, and Vicaima. The BWF’s training provider, Didac Ltd, and joinery consultancy firm, Lignum Associates, have also pledged to support the programme and promote it to the woodworking industry.
 
The BWF’s training arm, the WITForum, was set up to raise skills, improve provision, improve recruitment and give the industry a voice on skills.:
www.bwf.org.uk/training