Institute of Carpenters Launches Duchess of Gloucester Award

The Institute of Carpenters (IOC), a professional body dedicated to promoting, supporting, and developing its members within the timber industry, has announced the establishment of The Duchess of Gloucester Award for the “advancement of skills within the timber industry”.

Supported by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, Patron of the IOC and a keen advocate for the sector, this new annual Award is set to recognise and celebrate organisations and individuals who are making an outstanding and measurable contribution to addressing the critical skills needs of the timber industry.

Unlike traditional project-based prizes or competitions, The Duchess of Gloucester Award will honour sustained impact. Nominations will be rigorously assessed against quantifiable evidence of the difference nominees have made in meeting skills demands, particularly vital at a time of high demand for more skilled workers across the construction sector.

James Filus, IOC Director, said: “This Award marks a pivotal moment for the Institute of Carpenters and our Royal Patron, The Duchess of Gloucester. This award is not just about individual projects; it is not a competition in the way that many others are. It’s about recognising the impact organisations and individuals have made in meeting the sector’s skills needs over a sustained period. We collectively believe that is something to be celebrated.”

Applications for the Award will demonstrate measurable impact across the IOC’s core values of promote, support, and develop. Example areas of impact include, but are not limited to:

• Promote: Engaging and attracting young people to the sector; creating and/or enhancing careers in wood.
• Support: Initiatives to retain talent in the sector; enhancing the wellbeing of individuals working with wood.
• Develop: Training in basic skills or modern methods of construction; sustaining traditional carpentry or heritage skills.

Applications may be submitted by any individual, collegiate, corporate or reciprocal member of the IOC or its partner, the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS).

Only one prestigious Award will be made each year, with at least one highly commended application also being recognised, celebrating those making a significant difference to the industry’s skills landscape.

Details on how to apply, eligibility guidelines, and key dates will be released on the Institute of Carpenters website (https://instituteofcarpenters.com/the-duchess-of-gloucester-award-for-the-advancement-of-skills-within-the-timber-industry/) at the time of this release.