The Duchess of Gloucester Award for the Advancement of Skills within the Timber Industry as awarded by the Institute of Carpenters
The mission of the Institute of Carpenters (IOC) is to promote, support, and develop our members, and the sector more broadly – the sector being the timber industry and the people within in.
The purpose of this Award is to recognise both organisations and individuals who have made (or are making) an outstanding contribution to the skills needs of the timber industry. The Award are graciously supported by the IOC’s Patron, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, who is a keen advocate of our sector.
This Award is not intended as prizes for individual projects; it is not a competition. Nominations are assessed against quantifiable evidence of the impact organisations and individuals have made in meeting skills needs over a sustained period, at a time of high demand for more skilled workers in construction.
Criteria for application
Successful applications for the Award will demonstrate measurable impact in line with IOC’s core values of promote, support, and develop. Example areas of impact could include, but are not limited to:
- Engaging and attracting young people to sector (Promote)
- Creating and/or enhancing careers in wood (Promote)
- Initiatives to retain talent in the sector (Support)
- Enhancing the wellbeing of individuals working with wood (Support)
- Training in basic skills or modern methods of construction (Develop)
- Sustaining traditional carpentry or heritage skills (Develop)
Not all criteria will apply but, in all cases, nominees must demonstrate the impact made and ideally it will be cumulative across more than one of the IOC’s values.
Applications may be submitted by any individual, collegiate or corporate member of the IOC or the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS), the IOC’s partner. Only one Award will be made, with at least one highly commended application also recognised. This Award is about celebrating the difference makers.
For the 2025 Award, the examples used in the application must have taken place between 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
The application process (online)
The online application is made up of several sections, based on the criteria set out above, for the Judging Panel to complete an initial assessment, evaluating the supporting evidence and the stated impact, which must be demonstrable.
The closing date for applications is: 31 December 2025.
You can submit your application by clicking this link
Shortlisted application (the virtual visit)
If the online application meets the Award criteria, the next stage of the process is a virtual visit from the Judging Panel to gather further evidence from the applicant. Advance notice will be given, and applicants will be advised of what areas of the application the Judging Panel want to explore in greater depth.
The Award
Following a further period of deliberation, the Judging Panel will confirm the Award, as well as commending one other application.
About the Duchess of Gloucester
The Duchess of Gloucester – wife of Queen Elizabeth’s cousin The Duke of Gloucester – is a full-time working member of the Royal Family. Her Royal Highness takes great pride in the work which she undertakes for her many charities and organisations, as well as her duties in support of the Monarch. HRH the Duchess of Gloucester became the Royal Patron of the IOC in 2024.
About the Institute of Carpenters
The Institute of Carpenters (IOC) was established in 1890, to help maintain standards and skills at a time when traditional skills were being lost. Its mission is to promote, support, and develop its members, and the sector more broadly.