The UK Confederation of Timber Industries will focus on developing industry skills to address existing skills shortages and gaps in the education system as part of its strategic plan to enable future growth within the industry.

CTI chief executive Dirk Vennix said that Proskills has been commissioned to assess industry needs and where required will support the launch of new timber-related courses for young people as well as help increase the number of apprenticeships.

“We will encourage more young people to go for a career in the sector by helping to develop an ambassadorial schools network across the supply chain,” he added.

Currently, few young people are looking for work in the timber industry. Higher education courses and apprenticeships are also fairly limited across the country.

The three-year strategic plan spanning 2015 to 2017 will also address three other areas such as stakeholder engagement, growth, and sustainability.

“The CTI will engage with governments to help build support, as well as assess markets and develop new incentives, local government partnerships and alliances with construction and manufacturing sectors,” said Mr Vennix. “We will also help CTI members in their quest to ensure consistent application of existing certification standards and improve implementation of timber related regulations in the EU.”