ConstructionSkills Funding Helps BWF Members

Smaller company members of the British Woodworking Federation have just been handed an opportunity to develop their organisation’s skills and management. A new grant has been secured by the BWF to help these members with the cost of achieving ISO9001 or Chain of Custody through the Federation’s Total Support Services. The grant, from the ConstructionSkills Management & Supervisory Development Programme,  will cover the whole cost of the consultancy fees which are involved in achieving these systems, resulting in a reduction of almost 50% in the total cost.  

Total Support Services was launched last year as part of the BWF’s commitment to providing members with both the technical and business advice they need to run successful, profitable companies. With companies having to meet the requirements of increasing amounts of legislation, covering all aspects of business practice, Total Support Services cuts through all the baffling data with the expert advice and guidance needed to achieve certification and standards. They have been designed to be as simple and straightforward as possible to appeal to smaller businesses for which achieving standards and certification may be a daunting prospect.

'This is a great opportunity' says Leah Williams, training manager of the Woodworking Industry Training Forum (WITForum) run by the BWF. 'The award of this grant funding is a powerful endorsement of the work the BWF is doing in helping smaller companies improve their business performance.' 

'And in practical terms almost half the cost of the Total Support Services package for achieving ISO9001 or Chain of Custody for these smaller company members will be grant funded.  We will be sending full details to all those members who are eligible for the grant, encouraging them to take advantage of this substantial assistance.'

As well as a member service, Total Support Service packages are available to non members as a commercial venture for the BWF. Covering broader issues than the technicalities of joinery manufacturer, there are a range of services on offer, including Health & Safety Auditing, ISO14001 and Insurance.

Details of Total Support Services are available on the redesigned BWF website http://www.bwf.org.uk or on 0870 458 6952.