UK: The Institute of Builders' Merchants is backing nationally recognised qualification for those who deal with wood in timber and builders' merchants – Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Merchant Supplies – Timber.
"For staff who buy, sell or handle wood, this NVQ will help provide a consistent standard nationally and has the potential to be recognised throughout the industry as the minimum competence required," said IoBM'president Andrew Pine.
"Everyone will benefit from the introduction of this qualification." It will mean that:
Employers will have an assurance that staff are qualified and quality will improve
Staff will gain confidence, esteem and a sense of satisfaction and achievement
The reputation of the industry will improve as more staff become qualified
The NVQ has been developed by the Sector Skills Council and awarding body, PIABC – a professional awarding organisation operating within the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). The latter is determined to help professionalise the wood and timber industries by offering relevant qualifications and have recently also launched NVQs in:
Woodmachining Level 2
Woodmachining Level 3 Sawmilling – round timber Level 2
Sawmilling – secondary conversion Level 2
Tooling Technology – Saw Doctoring Level 2
Wood Preserving Level 2 "
There is now a national apprenticeship scheme for the wood and timber industry," said Helen Hewitt, Proskills wood and timber industry lead.
"These qualifications have been developed specifically for companies in the Wood and Timber Industries, and have been launched after a long wait for the industry. "We have been extremely excited about this launch as this is the first time the industry has worked together towards achieving a fully competent workforce for the future."
