INSTITUTE OF CARPENTERS




 





The Institute of Carpenters was founded in 1890 by eleven craftsmen, each of whom had achieved first class passes in new exams set by The Worshipful Company of Carpenters. Its role was to oversee training for carpenters and joiners in an effort to maintain standards at a time when many people were worried that traditional skills were in danger of being lost forever. In fact so many people, from Prince Albert down, had been concerned about the changes brought about by industrialisation, that they forced the introduction into schools.




They realised that industry needed properly trained workers, with traditional bench skills plus the ability to set up and operate machines safely and productively.




 




Of course such people are still needed - but changes to the school curriculum mean few children are given a proper introduction to craft skills. The Institute of Carpenters has always adopted a positive and practical approach to change. Over the years its exam syllabuses and competition formats have changed as working practices/techniques have changed.




 




 




 




The Worshipful Company of Carpenters received its Royal Charter from Edward IV in 1477, confirming it as a City Livery Company. The late medieval times really were the heyday of the craft guilds. Rich men and rich institutions (like the church) enjoyed spending their money on magnificent buildings. Masons and carpenters were in great demand and, after a 7 year-long apprenticeship, both could look forward to their own prosperous careers as journeymen or master craftsmen. 500 years on The Worshipful Company of Carpenters is still flourishing in its prestigious hall on Throgmorton Avenue in the City of London.




 




 


 




SETTING THE STANDARDS




 




The Institute of Carpenters projects a positive and practical approach to protecting the traditional skills of carpenters & joiners and identifying, by accreditation, good companies who use carpenters, joiners and shopfitters in a professional manner.

A principal difficulty experienced by today's consumer is how to distinguish between a good company and a bad company. Accreditation by The Institute of Carpenters is a recognisable statement of credibility to the consumer.

Without doubt we are going to experience change; we must react. The Institute of Carpenters is a way forward. We can protect our industry from the cowboys who tarnish both our professionalism and craftsmanship, creating distress.


No company can buy into the scheme the only way in is by accreditation, therefore, cowboy companies are left out in the cold.