The home for people who work in wood
We are the professional body for carpenters, joiners, furniture makers, shopfitters and everyone in the craft. Our membership spans education, employment and beyond – students, colleges, tradespeople and businesses.
Promote. Support. Develop.
Everything we do is about promoting, supporting and developing our members – and the sector more broadly.
Promote
For more than 130 years, IOC membership has been a mark of integrity and quality. We promote our members’ interests through:
- Construction industry forums
- Standards and qualifications
- Competence benchmarks for the trades
- Post-nominal letters members can use with pride
Support
Membership gives practical support that pays back all year round:
- An IOC members’ insurance scheme
- Low-cost fleet cover
- High-street savings through Wider Wallet
- Discounts on tools and materials
Develop
We champion life-long learning and professional development, guided by our Code of Conduct:
- WOMA Academy eLearning, discounted for members
- A CPD record that supports stepping up a grade
- Cutting Edge, our quarterly magazine
- A pathway from Student to Fellow, with Master Coming soon
Rooted in the craft, connected to the industry
The Worshipful Company of Carpenters
The Institute was formed in 1890 by eleven craftsmen who had passed the first-class examinations of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, one of London’s oldest livery companies. We still have strong links today.
National Association of Shopfitters
We are partnered with NAS, a respected trade body and CITB prescribed organisation focused on high-end bespoke joinery and installation.
CITB
We work with the Construction Industry Training Board on the Mentoring Champions initiative and the Wood/Work programme, supporting new entrants into the trades and helping them stay.
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester
Our Royal Patron, who champions the standards of craftsmanship, training and development at the heart of the Institute.
About our Royal Patron →Shaping standards across the sector
Beyond membership, we help define what competence looks like in the wood trades.
National Occupational Standards
We led the review of the NOS for Wood Occupations, which set out the skills, knowledge and behaviours the sector needs.
Site Carpentry Competence Framework
We collaborated on the 1st and 2nd Fix Site Carpentry Competence Framework.
Carpentry and Joinery Trailblazer
We contribute to the Trailblazer Apprenticeship for Carpentry and Joinery with Skills England.
Working with CITB prescribed organisations
Through our partnership with NAS, we work alongside other CITB prescribed organisations.
Timber Construction Europe
We are the UK Commission for Timber Construction Europe.
Construction Skills Mission Board
We were recently named as one of the specialists within SLG10, contributing to the Government’s Construction Skills Mission Board.
A credential worth having
IOC membership is earned, not bought – and it works for you from the day you join.
- 01Letters after your nameMIOC and FIOC – a mark of professional recognition. MstIOC Coming soon
- 02Keep learningWOMA Academy eLearning at the member rate, tracked as CPD.
- 03A network across the craftThe AGM, Members’ Day with NAS, competitions and your member platform.
- 04Value that pays backCutting Edge magazine, insurance and member offers.
Earn your mark. Join today.
Join the professional body for people who work in wood.