West Suffolk College, in Bury St Edmunds, hosts rare event to help recruitment in the construction and timber industry
A Bury St Edmunds college has played host to a rare event to help furnish the construction and timber industry with new recruits.
Carpentry heavyweights created an event at West Suffolk College to chip away at skills shortages in their industry.
The event, called The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) – Institute of Carpenters (IOC) Timber Industry College Hub Event, normally takes place in cities.
West Suffolk College and the Eastern Education Group is one of only 10 colleges nationally to be part of the mentoring scheme.
Brian Tunbridge, carpentry lecturer, said it was an ‘honour’ to be the venue for the rare event .
He said: “It was an informative day and the students heard lots of new information that could help them in the future.
“Traditionally events like this only happen in the big cities like Birmingham and London, so it was a real privilege to be able to host and getting technical specialists in to share their knowledge with the next generation was a real honour and a great coup.
“The students were able to gain contacts, network and learn new things about the carpentry trade, so we had some really positive outcomes.”
More than 150 attended and were given insights from a range of speakers who represented companies such as English Heritage, Seamans , TDUK , Medite SmartPly and the American Hardwood Export Council.
Geoff Rhodes, the IOC president, said: “The IOC was established in 1890 and is about education, training and skills.
“As a nation we lost the momentum for about 30 years when apprenticeships dropped off the page.
“As an organisation we are helping to bring industry partners together to talk about careers. This was an important event where we united to help young people with their development.
“West Suffolk College is just one of 10 colleges nationally to be part of our mentoring scheme.”
“In East Anglia, this is a frontline college and partner of the IOC. We are delighted that West Suffolk College is part of our IOC mentoring champions programme.”
Guest speaker was Nick Boulton from TDUK and Truss Rafter Association, who said: “Every industry needs young people.
”The day was all about careers and education within the industry and everyone coming together to promote opportunities.”
