Woodworks is helping to grow businesses and create new jobs in the wood-producing/wood-using sector across the South West region. The project helps existing businesses take on new employees and supports business start-ups to start trading. Woodworks stimulates the local forestry sector by strengthening local markets for local products.

The project has been running since 1997. In that time it has supported 125 businesses, created 210 jobs, 75% of which have survived longer than two years.

The Silvanus Trust has operated Woodworks in conjunction with the European Social Fund, Jobcentreplus, Leader+ and the Blackdown Hills Sustainable Development Fund and SWRDA.

Many business start-ups have trouble getting through the first year and many employers want to take on new staff but are worried about the costs of getting new recruits “up to speed”. Woodworks can help by providing a wage subsidy, a training budget and a fund to assist people starting work. The Silvanus Trust staff can provide invaluable business development advice and has many years experience and knowledge of the local wood industry.

Photo: Ted Giffords

Helping rural businesses grow

Starting or running a small rural business often leaves little time for training, marketing and business development. When you need a new employee, skilled workers are in short supply.
Taking on the first new employee is a large financial commitment and can be a psychological barrier. The time taken to supervise and train the new employee will often reduce productivity in the first few months.

The Silvanus Trust Woodworks Project can help you both train and fund a new employee to help your business grow.
The project has helped a wide variety of people such as forestry contractors, tree surgeons, sawmillers, joiners, furniture and cabinet makers and even basket makers.
For more details on the scheme and how to apply please go to the employment section.

Colin Milburn’s business using Cornish wood to do traditional timber framing and produce green-wood furniture was set up in April 2003. With help from an Objective One grant through Working Woodlands Colin built up his workshop and within a short time had filled his order book for the winter. Colin got a good start to his business because he had served a five-year training period with two other Cornish woodworkers.

The volume of work Colin had on his books meant he had to take one of the biggest steps a small business can take and employ someone new. Woodworks Plus allowed Colin to take this step by providing a six month wage subsidy and funding for training of the new employee. Will Gilchrist had been workless for nine months. He had gained an interest in woodworking while working at sea and wanted a job that would bring him back on land. Will started working for Colin in October 2003 and has been very busy throughout the winter.

Colin has a contract with a number of local NHS trusts to produce functional yet artistic structures that have an uplifting effect on the patients. These works have included an aesthetically pleasing wooden fence around a hospital and a traditional timber framed bus stop and bike shed. They have also produced a large timber framed barn in Devon. On a smaller scale Will has learnt to produce ladder-back and Windsor Chairs out of green Ash with Wych Elm bark seating.

The Woodworks Plus project has allowed Colin to take Will on full time while he improves his skills and does the training he needs. Will has been able to gain his chainsaw certificate, which is essential for his line of work. He will also be trained in driving an all terrain vehicle and using horses to extract timber. The Silvanus Trust business advisors have provided Will and Colin with invaluable information and advice on business links, other funding providers and forestry management.

Will and Colin are confident about the future. Will has developed his contacts with other local woodworkers and potential customers to such an extent that he is now considering becoming self employed so he has more independence to take on other jobs, while still sub-contracting to Colin. Will still has access to advice and assistance from the Silvanus Trust for the next six months while he develops his skills.

[ back ]

Kyl Cober Parc, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 8PH
T: 01579 372100, F: 01579 372101, E: [ info@silvanus.org.uk ]