Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Institute of Carpenters (IOC) are partnering for the next phase of ‘Timber Industry College Hubs’ around the country.
Developed by Geoff Rhodes, IOC President, the initiative links timber supply chain businesses to colleges, tutors and students in their regions.
It aims to showcase the many employment opportunities that are available from the UK and international timber supply chain to career paths with timber merchants or timber frame design and manufacture. It will bring construction industry opportunities closer to students and introduce the next generation of talent to local businesses.
David Hopkins, Chief Executive of TDUK said: “At a time when the UK is desperate to develop more construction-focused skills, training and career opportunities, this initiative will act as a catalyst to show students how their much-needed qualifications and training can be applied in the real world. We look forward to the fully engaged support from our members across the country for this initiative and the excellent benefits it will bring to our industry.”
TDUK’s well-established regional structure across the UK will partner with over 40 participating FE colleges with IOC membership. These events will show students the full range of possible employment opportunities as well as those that exist in their area.
Four events will take place in 2023; the next one will be at Lincoln College in June. With its flagship Construction College and ECOnstruction Centre of Excellence focused on green building techniques to help meet the Government’s zero carbon targets, the Lincoln Timber Industry College Hub has strong vocal support from the TDUK’s North-East Timber Trade Association (NETTA) members. Six further events around the UK are planned for 2024.
Geoff Rhodes, President of the IOC said: “Since we started the IOC City Hub program in 2019, TTF and TRADA, along with other national trade associations, has participated and supported us with guest speakers and site visits. This fresh initiative with TDUK will continue to build on this positive momentum.”
Speakers will be announced shortly on www.instituteofcarpenters.com and www.timberdevelopment.uk.