Britain’s wood-related industries including Carpentry and Joinery, contribute £10 billion to the UK economy. You are part of this National and International World and you’re part of a skilled tradition stretching back thousands of years. Explore the world of wood and the careers surrounding it through the links below.
Career options
Careers with bench joinery: www.wowimadethat.bwf.org.uk/career-options/
Careers in Fit-out: https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/careers-index/
Careers in Shopfitting: https://www.shopfitters.org/how-to-apply-for-apprenticeships/
Careers in general building: https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/building-a-successful-apprenticeship.html
Careers with building materials & builders’ merchants: http://www.buildingmaterialscareers.com/
Links to woodworking related job descriptions
Carpenter: https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/carpenter/
Also explore: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs/job-profile/carpenter
Joiner: https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/joiner/
Also explore: Bench joiner https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/bench-joiner/
Wood machinist: https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/wood-machinist/
and also for CNC machining: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs/job-profile/cnc-machinist
Cabinet maker: www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs/job-profile/cabinet-maker
Formworker: https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/formworker/
Areas of employment: Key trade bodies
British Woodworking Federation (joinery companies) www.bwf.org.uk
Federation of Master Builders: www.fmb.org.uk
Fit-Out Sector (interiors: hotels, restaurants, commercial buildings) www.thefis.org
National Association of Shopfitters (retail fit-out) www.shopfitters.org
National Federation of Builders www.builders.org.uk/home
Wider wood industry links
Timber Trade Federation (timber traders, importers and merchants) www.ttf.co.uk
Timber Research and Development Association – IOC students can
sign up/register for free to access elements of TRADA information www.trada.co.uk
Wood Campus www.woodcampus.co.uk
Wood Panel Industries Federation www.wpif.org.uk
Wood Protection Association (timber preservatives) www.thewpa.org
Wood Technology Society (wood science & research) www.iom3.org/group/wood-technology-society.html
Organisations promoting timber species from around the world
American Hardwood Export Council Europe www.americanhardwood.org/en
American Softwoods www.americansoftwoods.com
Grown in Britain www.growninbritain.org
Malaysian Timber Council www.mtc.com.my
Swedish Wood www.swedishwood.com
Organisations promoting wood as a material and different types of wood products
Wood for Good www.woodforgood.com
Wood Window Alliance www.windows.bwf.org.uk
BWF Stair Scheme www.stairs.bwf.org.uk
Fire safety and timber & wood products
BWF Fire Door Alliance www.firedoors.bwf.org.uk
Fire Door Safety Week www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk
Timber and fire safety www.timberfirehub.co.uk
Media serving the wood industry
Fix Radio (Weekly Carpentry Show) www.fixradio.co.uk
Structural Timber Magazine www.structuraltimbermagazine.co.uk
Woodworking News www.woodworkingnews.co.uk/archives
Furniture & Joinery Production www.furnitureproduction.net
Timber Trades Journal www.ttjonline.com
Wood Based Panels International www.wbpionline.com
Timber Construction magazine www.timbermedia.co.uk
Investigating wood history and wood in ancient buildings:
Vernacular Architecture Group (traditional building of the British Isles) www.vag.org.uk
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings www.spab.org.uk
The Hawley Gallery (woodworking and other tools) www.simt.co.uk/kelham-island-museum/what-to-see/the-hawley-gallery
The Tools & Trades History Society www.taths.org.uk
City of London Livery Companies related to wood
Worshipful Company of Carpenters https://www.carpentersco.com/
Worshipful Company of Joiners & Ceilers http://www.joinersandceilers.co.uk
Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants www.wcobm.co.uk
Worshipful Company of Turners https://turnersco.com/
Worshipful company of Wheelwrights www.wheelwrights.org/
TRADA useful links
Wood Species Database https://www.trada.co.uk/wood-species/
Case studies https://www.trada.co.uk/case-studies/
Academic Area – IOC students can also currently
register for free BM TRADA run webinars at https://www.trada.co.uk/academic/