As a continuing part of roll-out of the Institute of Carpenters’ (IoC) national ‘City Hub’ programme and in partnership with Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC), this conferencing event was held at BTC’s Taunton campus and attended by carpentry, joinery and woodworking skills students from BTC, plus IoC members and supporter companies.

There were guest speakers, including Katie Smith, CITB Regional Advisor, talking about skills shortages and career opportunities, Andrew Carpenter, CEO of the Structural Timber Association, Ed Suttie, Director of the Building Research Establishment, discussing Wood and Healthy Buildings, Peter Travis from +travis agency, talking about how to win customers, plus others.

The event has enabled student-learners to integrate and network with timber industry associations and wood trades employers, obtaining key industry information on best practices and employment and career opportunities, and the College now has a wealth of additional information that can add value to the ongoing curriculum work and can be shared tutorially with up to 200 student learners who are studying carpentry, joinery and woodworking skills.

President Geoff Rhodes says:

I look forward to the IoC and its network of supportive organisations building further on this initiative with the College, at this time of a national craft skills crisis across the UK.