With the UK facing a national craft skills crisis, ensuring a skilled and knowledgeable workforce has never been more critical. In this Timber Trades Journal article, IOC President Geoff Rhodes highlights the Institute’s ongoing efforts to tackle the growing demand for skilled woodworkers. From expanding college partnerships and mentoring programmes to strengthening European links and working with industry bodies like the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and National Association of Shopfitters (NAS), the IOC is taking a proactive approach to workforce development.
As the Institute continues to grow, now with over 50 FE colleges and 2,000 student members, Geoff calls on the industry to join the mission—because the future of timber craftsmanship depends on it.
“In 2024 Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester agreed to take on the role of Patron. She brings significant recognition to the Institute and will be instrumental in championing our mission to uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship, training, and professional development for carpenters at every level.
Now with more than 50 further education (FE) colleges in membership, the IOC’s mission is to help create a framework throughout the UK that meets the developing training needs of a fast-changing industry facing a mounting skills shortage. College liaison officers (CLO) at the colleges invite all their year one, two and three students and apprentices learning woodworking skills to join the free IOC student
membership scheme. Over 2,000 student learners have joined this programme, and it continues to gain
momentum.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) says up to 15,000 woodworkers are needed in the UK over the next five years just to stand still. Also to help meet this challenge, I have joined the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) People & Skills network to communicate the timber trade’s craft and wider training needs.
We are also working with our strategic partner, The National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) to deliver four major projects over the next 12 months. These relate to growing IOC membership, improving our communications, developing further our partnership and governance procedures ensuring our vision and values are consistently used. Our work continues in delivering the CITB-IOC Mentoring Champions programme and we last year delivered our Timber Industry College Hub events at Leeds College of Building and Stafford College (NSCG). The next will be at Northampton College and Exeter College, completing our two-year outreach to 10 colleges teaching woodworking skills.
Along with NAS the IOC is actively involved in reviewing the National Occupational Standards (NOS) relating to carpentry and joinery. I also recently represented the IOC at the Construction Leadership Council meetings and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) annual conference. In addition, I met with a delegation from the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) and have been a judge for the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) annual awards. It’s been busy.
Our European links also continue to grow and flourish. Together with Amanda Scott of NAS, we attended the Timber Construction Europe (TCE) General Assembly in Austria in December. Co-operative links, specifivally in Germany and France continue to evolve. More colleges, teaching woodworking skills and their students continue to come into IOC membership along with other trained professionals. Also, IOC’s Third Year Student of the Year Award (Rainleaf trophy), which was initiated in 2020 goes from strength to strength.
There is still so much more to do at this time of a UK wide national craft skills crisis. I invite you all as companies or individuals to join our crusade.”
Geoff Rhodes
IOC President
