BWF Business Development and Mentoring Scheme Exceeds Demand

, Timber Frames

Joinery manufacturing and woodworking businesses have seized the opportunity for places on a new business development and mentoring programme from the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).

 The programme has been brought about by the BWF’s Woodworking Industry Training Forum (WITForum), with funding from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), in response to a joinery industry skills gap analysis undertaken by BWF last year. The programme – worth £3,000 for each member firm – provides companies with one-to-one mentoring and training workshops delivered by an industry experienced business development consultant.
 Participating firms receive a total of six face-to-face mentoring sessions with a business development expert who will take an in-depth look at the company and give guidance on how to overcome barriers to growth.
 A similar programme run by another timber-based trade association achieved company sales growth of 14% against a national increase of 9%, and resulted in the employment of 109 new staff across the 15 companies involved.
Dave Campbell, WITForum Training Manager said:
“The unprecedented demand for this programme is a testament to the opportunity it brings to help our member companies achieve above average growth in their businesses and the joinery sector as a whole. The results from the similar programme show the potential the sector has to grow and make their companies more profitable and the competitiveness of the sector.”
The programme includes a combination of training, workshops and best practice exchange sessions focusing on the significant skills gaps identified in the research: strategy and business planning, sales and marketing, leadership, project management and IT, and succession planning.
 Only a limited number of fully-funded places were available to BWF member firms which were filled in only six days, so WITForum has tied the programme in with the Growth Accelerator, a government funded initiative to help firms with new ideas, routes to investment and contacts to drive business growth and to allow more companies to participate.
Dave continued:
“While we have filled the programme, similar packages of support are available thanks to access to government funding pots. So if you want to invest in your company’s future and realise above average growth, get involved”.
 To register for the programme contact Dave Campbell at dave.campbell@bwf.org.uk

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