| By :
Martin Hofschroer
There has never been a better time to take carpentry courses because the industry is booming. Alice-Azania Jarvis reported in the Independent that practical carpentry is en vogue once again after beating off competition from the rise in popularity of flat-pack furniture from retailers such as Ikea. The winner of last year's City & Guild carpentry Medal of Excellence Nick Gutfreund told the newspaper that quality carpentry had come under threat from cheap furniture but people are starting to appreciate craftsmanship once again. He said: "Flat-packs have left people believing that well-made woodwork is not something to be valued. People don't understand why they should pay more than £50 for a table; they can't identify quality craftsmanship." An increasing number of people are enrolling on carpentry courses and there is growing demand for jobs in the industry. Learn Direct claimed that its carpentry page reported a 50 per cent increase in the volume of online traffic, while the Learning Skills Council said that there is ten per cent more apprentice carpenters compared to the past year. Mr Gutfreund told the paper that he was not surprised by the increased interest in carpentry courses as there are plenty of opportunities for people to take advantage of in the woodwork industry. "Fundamentally, carpentry is thriving again There are so many opportunities; a young chippy can expand his skills by himself," he said. Carpenters have a variety of professional options once they complete carpentry courses as they can work individually, in small companies, or by doing bespoke jobs on a freelance basis. William Avery, president of the Institute of Carpenters, told the Independent that is getting more important for people to complete carpentry courses in order to get an edge in a competitive jobs market. He told the publication: "Increasingly, it is important to have a recognised qualification, such as City & Guilds or NVQ, to gain work. And practical experience is essential." City & Guilds carpentry courses provide people with in-depth training in aspects such as fixing floor joists and laying flooring, fixing skirting to a timber background and fixing and stabilising trussed rafters. Carpentry is also famous for being Jesus' profession and this has encouraged many people to take up the skill including Owen Wilson's character from Meet the Parents. Kevin Rawley: "[On who inspired him to be a wood worker] I'd have to say Jesus. He was a carpenter and I figured if you're going to follow in somebody's footsteps, why not the steps of our lord and saviour?"
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