Following the recent announcement by Nick Boles, James Latham and Proskills UK Group have confirmed they will lead on the development of a new Wood Apprenticeship Standard as part of the Governments Phase 4 Trailblazers. Trailblazers are groups of leading large and small employers within a sector who work together to develop new apprenticeship standards.

This project is supported by employers in the sector (below) and the group will be chaired by Piers Latham.

The new apprenticeships will be:

  • employer-led and designed so they respond to the needs of industry, meaning each apprentice has the skills required by the sector
  • focused on quality so the apprentice has to demonstrate their ability through rigorous assessment at the end of their apprenticeship
  • graded on completion – pass, merit, or distinction – to mark the level of achievement

Proskills UK Group will support this exciting apprenticeship development with project management using their expertise and experience of industrial partnership to develop relevant Occupational Standards, Qualifications and Apprenticeships and appropriate training provision.

Jonathan Ledger, managing director of Proskills UK Group, says:

“It is fantastic that so many Wood employers have decided to lead the way in developing this new breed of apprenticeships. Employers are by far the best source of technical expertise and strategic direction needed to design the best apprenticeships for their industry. We look forward to working with all parts of the Wood industry to realise their ambitions through this industrial partnership approach.”

Supporters:
Adam Wilson, Arbor Forest Products Ltd, Associated Timber Services Ltd, Bournemouth & Poole College, Builders Merchants Federation, Didac Ltd, E A Higginson & Co Ltd, Elmwood Joinery (East Anglia) Ltd, Houghtons Of York, Howarth Timber Windows & Doors Limited, James Donaldson And Sons Ltd, Leeds College Of Building, Medina Joinery, Mint Construction, Parker & Highland Joinery, SCA Timber Supply Limited, SCM Group UK Ltd, STP Timber Products Ltd, Sylva Group Ltd, T Brewer And Co Ltd, Timbmet Ltd, Tompkins Ltd, TRADA