BSW Timber Launch IWSc Accredited Training Course
October 1, 2005
BSW Timber, the UK's largest sawmilling business, has launched a scheme of Constructive Timber Training Courses to give customers of BSW Timber the opportunity to improve their knowledge of timber.
The day long course is designed to provide detailed training on the properties of wood and the effects different processes have on timber. BSW Timber recognised that there was a need for this type of training to give merchant staff a better understanding of timber, and its uses, to enable them to provide their customers with expert advice and suggestions at branch level.
The sessions will be held once a month and will be attended by BSW Timber customers who will be given the opportunity to improve their timber knowledge. There will be 12-15 places per course and over the following year there will be sessions held in Carlislie, Fort William, Newbridge and a suitable location inside the M25 area. After a full day of training the attendees will sit a short test to earn the certificate of completion of the course approved by the Institute of Wood Science. Following this they will be given a tour of the mill facility to see how timber technology is put into practice.
Two training days have already been completed with Selco builder merchants The first course was in BSW's Newbridge Sawmill and the other was held at a convenient Hotel location in Euston. London.
Bryan Crennell, Marketing Manager added: "We believe that this is a credible one day training scheme for our customers. We have already held two training days with Selco Building Merchants and they have been well received with 26 attendees successfully completing the course. This training offers customers of BSW Timber the opportunity to add value to their employee's skill sets which is key to the retention of staff within the merchant sector. We understand that by training staff on the fundamentals of wood we will motivate and excite them about Timber products. Accreditation from the Institute of Wood Science illustrates the high standard of the training that we are offering and we are pleased to be working with them to deliver this innovative scheme.
Jim Lumsden, Director of the Institute of Wood Science adds: "Our role is to promote a better understanding of timber and associated processes, we work with a number of colleges and training centres to do this. We were impressed by the standard of training that BSW Timber are offering and wholeheartedly support the scheme, it is vital that merchant staff are educated about wood as they are very often trade customers first point of contact with the Company. BSW Timber is making great progress in bridging a gap in knowledge that often exists at merchant branch level."