1. There is a need to grow and develop existing timber businesses to match the growing construction market:

• Construction contributes 8%+ to the UK GDP
• Is growing steadily with a current output of £81 billion p.a.
• 1 in 14 of the UK workforce is employed in construction (2.1 million people)

2. The timber industry's main customer, construction, is up-skilling:

• There is a need for timber companies to match this by upgrading their own skills through increased product knowledge
• Employees are better placed to discuss timber products with this more knowledgeable customer base

3. The number of new timber products and the speed with which these are coming to market is increasing:

• There is a need for timber personnel to understand the basics of timber which enables them to appreciate the benefits and sell new innovative wood based products to your customers

4. Research shows that skills development improves business performance, increases productivity and maximises company profits:

• For every £1 invested in training, the return can be between £3 to £5
• Trained employees are 8% more productive but command only 3.3% higher remuneration
• Investors in People on average increase their productivity by 7% and add value of £300 per head to each member of the workforce

5. Businesses thrive and grow with well trained and educated employees. Research shows that a skilled workforce helps to:

• Improve business performance giving rise to repeat business and an improved bottom line
• Achieve increased sustainable productivity
• Reduce losses and maximise profitablity
• Enhance customer care and satisfaction
• Manage risk and comply with regulations

6. The employees are more motivated as:

• They see an employer taking an interest in their future
• Individuals see a career path with the company for those seeking promotion
• Greater job satisfaction ensues

Your options

The timber market is constantly changing and in order to keep up with the competition and outside forces you need to adapt as well.

Education and training is not simply about going on a course and forgetting about it. It is an ongoing process – life long learning – taking short courses to help individuals learn new skills as and when required, looking at others within the industry and learning from them and their experiences.

IWSc: The Wood Technology Society offers a solution with our 'Learn While You Work' approach which offers a range of learning options – online to short tutorial course – which:

• provide a variety of levels of educational grades
• offer a selection of relevant subjects
• enable companies to match employees' knowledge to their own particular business area.

Candidates study in their own time so there is no need for time off work.

For more information, contact training@iom3.org