The Institute of Carpenters (IOC) and the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) have received a letter from the Right Honourable Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills, recognising the contribution of both organisations to the reform of Apprenticeship Assessment Plans
Joe Harris
Introducing the WOMA Academy: Professional Training, at a Price That Makes Sense
Introducing the WOMA Academy: Professional Training, at a Price That Makes Sense
Training your team shouldn’t be a luxury. But for many businesses in the shopfitting and interior fit-out sector, the cost, complexity, and time involved in keeping staff properly …
An update from James Filus, NAS and IOC Director, on the latest apprenticeship developments
In January of this year, I updated our membership on ongoing apprenticeship reform work particularly in relation to ST0264 – i.e. the Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery standard.
The background to this is complex but can also be broadly summed …
Weathering the Frame: Can Weathering Techniques of the past help to safeguard Britain’s Timber Framed Heritage in a Climate Change future?
Corey Lane FIOC who specialises in the survey, repair, and adaptation of heritage assets shares with us the need for further research to protect timber framed buildings from current and future weather systems.
An old Spanish proverb …
Recognising Excellence: The 2026 Women in Safety & Health (WISH) Awards
The Women in Safety & Health (WISH) Awards 2026 are now officially open for entries, and we are encouraging our members to help shine a spotlight on those driving real change in the industry.
Of particular interest to our community …
Strategic Partnership: The Institute of Carpenters & The Passivhaus Trust
Strategic Partnership: The Institute of Carpenters & Passivhaus Trust
The Institute of Carpenters (IOC) is delighted to announce a new strategic partnership with the Passivhaus Trust (PHT). This agreement aims to maximise collaborative opportunities by sharing knowledge, skills, and …
Call to Action: Defining Competence in Site Carpentry First-Fix Staircase Installation
A NAS and IOC members call to action from Amanda Scott UK Skills Lead and Chair of the National Occupational Standards for Wood Occupations.
Last year CITB ran an all-nations survey to determine what skills the Site Carpentry sector …
Royal Audience: Strengthening the Future of the IOC
We are delighted to share that a successful meeting was held last week with our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, to ensure a seamless transition for the Institute’s leadership.
Key Highlights:
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Leadership Transition: Our president, Geoff Rhodes,
UK to Rejoin Erasmus – Lets Break it Down
In January 2026 the UK Government announced it was set to rejoin the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme from January 2027 onwards, restoring a major route for study and training placements across Europe. This agreement will allow reciprocal participation in exchange …
Funding Opportunity: Up to £18,000 for Craftspeople
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) is offering substantial grants to support makers and conservators at various career stages. This funding is designed to strengthen the pipeline of talented craft professionals in the UK, supporting both traditional skills and innovative …