The Wood Occupations and Materials Alliance (WOMA) has been launched in London, bringing the Institute of Carpenters and National Association of Shopfitters together behind a shared public voice for carpentry, joinery and shopfitting.
A new alliance has been formed to champion the UK’s wood occupations, with the Institute of Carpenters (IOC) and National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) signing a declaration of intent at Carpenters’ Hall in the City of London.
The Wood Occupations and Materials Alliance (WOMA) was launched on 22 April during the joint Members’ Day of the IOC and NAS. It is intended to act as a publicly facing voice for individuals and businesses across the sector, while allowing both existing organisations to retain their independence.
The move comes at a significant moment for the trades WOMA has been created to represent. Carpentry, joinery and shopfitting remain central to construction, fit-out and manufacturing, but concerns continue around skills, recruitment and the loss of knowledge as experienced craftspeople retire. The IOC and NAS have both beenworking to raise the profile of training, professionalism and career opportunities across the sector.
“WOMA is the unified voice that represents the interests of the wood occupations,” added James Filus, IOC Director. “Through the IOC and NAS, WOMA has a unique vertical through the wood occupations, from education to employment, and beyond. Our ambition is to ensure the wood occupations are seen as professional, aspirational careers, respected by all.”
At the Members’ Day, outgoing IOC President Geoff Rhodes described the creation of WOMA as an important step for a sector that has often struggled with fragmentation. “This is a significant step within our sector where there is so much fragmentation and where cooperative stronger voices of many will carry more weight.”
“WOMA has the scope to grow and expand in the years ahead – watch this space!”
Rhodes said WOMA would operate as an umbrella body above the IOC and NAS, with the potential to bring in other aligned organisations over time. He also positioned the new body as complementary to the Confederation of Timber Industries, noting that WOMA would focus more specifically on the related carpentry, joinery and shopfitting sectors.
Trustees are set to be appointed and a logo has already been created. WOMA will now help streamline and manage joint strategic activities between the IOC and NAS, built around the shared values of Promote, Support and Develop.
For a sector seeking to attract the next generation while protecting hard-won craft knowledge, the launch represents a practical attempt to turn shared concerns into a stronger, more coordinated voice.
For more info visit www.instituteofcarpenters.com
Read more in the latest Timber Trader magazine here
