27-The British Woodworking Federation Representatives for woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry News 020708

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THE ‘BUZZ’ OF BWF MEMBERS’ DAY

The British Woodworking Federation’s continuing commitment to training and skills development in the joinery industry set the tone for its 2008 Members’ Day. Over 100 members attended the event which was staged in the stately surroundings of Ragley Hall in Warwickshire with a new look programme which offered a real mix of activities linked to the day’s themes of empowerment, information and involvement.

The morning session kicked off with the first showing of a new film on the topic of training in the joinery industry. Produced by the BWF and directed by students at the City of Westminster College, the film features managers and apprentices talking about their experiences of the industry and the importance of training and skills development. Soon to be available for viewing on the BWF website, the film communicates the passion and benefits of training which ran through the day’s programme.

Tim Down, Deputy Director, Sector Skills and Equalities in the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills outlined the goals and challenges the government faces in developing training policies. These centre around the need to prepare young people for work, the links between welfare and skill development and the requirement for a clear and demand-led approach. Mike Marchant, Director of Learning at UK Woodchain focused on the need for a co-ordinated approach to training and the morning session closed with Shamim Stokes, Leadership Development Manager, Phones 4u, the fastest growing independent phone retailer, taking the stage.

While the joinery industry and mobile phone retailing may be very different businesses, delivering customer service is a common aspiration. Ms Stokes outlined the role that good training and people management has played in the development of the Phones 4u business from its launch in 1996 to a network of 440 stores across the UK in 2008.

Sponsored by Edgetech and ConstructionSkills, this year’s Members’ Day took on a new and popular format. The core programme of keynote speeches and afternoon workshops was followed by networking opportunities over a choice of outdoor activities – five-a-side football, archery and tug-of-war, with ‘No suits. No ties.’ the order of the day, and an evening barbecue rounded off the day’s activities.

For BWF member Paul Bailey, MD of European Doorsets, this year’s Members’ Day was ‘by far the best I’ve attended’. He says ‘The mix of presentations, workshops and relaxation was a perfect balance. I drove home with a good buzz from it all and the sense that in developing a new approach for this important annual event, the BWF got it absolutely right.’

Email: maggie@thegoodagency.co.uk