The Institute of Carpenters
The Institute of Carpenters (IOC) is the home for professionals working in wood. Carpenters, joiners, furniture makers, shopfitters and others — if you are part of the craft in, or work with wood, then this is the Institute for you.
Our membership encompasses education, employment and beyond. We are proud to include students, colleges, tradespeople, and businesses among our members. Whichever level of membership is right for you, we are here to help promote, support, and develop you and the sector more broadly.
Promote, support, and develop — what it means
Our core values are simple: promote, support, and develop.
Promote: The IOC has been a mark of integrity and quality for over 130 years. We promote the interests of our members and the wider wood sector through construction forums, developing standards and qualifications, and setting the bar for competency. We strive to make IOC members feel proud of their association and encourage them to use their designatory letters with confidence.
Support: We always act in ways that enhance the wellbeing of our members, offering meaningful membership benefits and practical support. This includes exclusive rates on insurance, discounts at high street stores, low-cost fleet cover and much more. We want IOC members to feel their membership offers real value, costing less than a weekly coffee but returning much more in professional and personal benefits.
Develop: We promote lifelong learning and professional growth, supported by a modern Code of Conduct. IOC members stay informed about the latest developments in the wood sector through our online platform and quarterly magazine, Cutting Edge. Members also have access to a free e-learning platform, with key standards accredited by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Who do we work with?
The IOC was formed in 1890 by 11 craftsmen who achieved first-class passes in exams set by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters (WCC), one of the oldest livery companies in London. Today, we retain strong links with the WCC.
We are partnered with the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS), another respected trade body focused on high-end bespoke joinery and installation. The NAS is a CITB prescribed organisation, helping to shape national training and skills policy. The IOC also works closely with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), delivering projects such as the Mentoring Champions initiative and the Wood/Work programme, which provides in-work support to new entrants and promotes retention in the trade.
We are also proud to have The Duchess of Gloucester as our Royal Patron.
Our work
Our recent projects include leading the review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Wood Occupations, defining the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to succeed in the sector. We have also collaborated with the British Woodworking Federation on the 1st and 2nd Fix Site Carpentry Competence Framework and continue to contribute to the Trailblazer Apprenticeship for Carpentry and Joinery in partnership with Skills England.
As part of the NAS, the IOC is a CITB prescribed organisation and the UK Commission for Timber Construction Europe. We were recently named as one of the specialists within SLG10, contributing to the Government’s Construction Skills Mission Board.
The IOC and NAS host regular events, including our joint Members’ Day, which brings together students, tradespeople, and employers.
What you get in return
We understand the importance of value for money. That is why IOC membership costs less than a weekly coffee and gives you so much more in return. Members receive our quarterly Cutting Edge magazine, access to the Glue Up membership platform, discounts on insurance and high street retailers, a free e-learning platform, and attendance at our Annual General Meeting and Members’ Day. Members also gain the right to use designatory letters, a visible sign of professional recognition.
The importance of designatory letters
Using designatory letters, such as MIOC for Member of the Institute of Carpenters, demonstrates professional competence, experience, and commitment to ethical practice and ongoing professional development. These letters provide clients, employers, and colleagues with confidence in your abilities, distinguishing qualified professionals and upholding the standards of the woodworking industry.