CEI-Bois invite Miller Mckenzie to Industries conference

Posted by Rachael Hamiton on December 14, 2018

Second Seminar of the Perspectives and Challenges of the Woodworking Industries in Europe project

Miller Mckenzie was recently invited to Lisbon as a key note speaker in the second seminar for the Perspectives and Challenges of the Woodworking Industries in Europe project.

Perspectives and Challenges of the Woodworking Industries in Europe, is a joint project between the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois), the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) and the European Panel Federation (EPF). The project focuses on challenges faced and solutions offered by the Woodworking Industries. It aims at developing recommendations to the companies and workers involved, so that a real practical on-the-ground effect of this project can be measured in five years’ time.

 

Hosted by the AIMMP

The first seminar of the project, took place on 7th December 2017 and was hosted by the Portuguese Association of Wood and Furniture Industries, AIMMP. This seminar was centered on formaldehyde and working conditions.

The second seminar took place on the 29th and 30th November, again hosted by the AIMMP. It brought the second part of the framework in the Project. The seminar focused on the Analysis and conclusions of the topic Formaldehyde, debated at the 1st seminar, and proposals for increasing the Woodworking sectors attractiveness. It focused on the contribution that the woodworking industries can deliver to European Commissions’s aim to re-industrialise Europe.

Tom, the Director at Miller Mckenzie, was invited by the CEI Bois to open the days discussion on an often-overlooked topic: attracting and nurturing young talent. He specifically explored ways in which individual companies and the united industry can ensure the right people are in place to drive the industry forward in the years to come. His presentation focused around how we can improve the image of the Woodworking Industry and attract the younger generation to choose a career in the sector.

It is no secret that the Wood Industry severely lacks the appeal among the younger generations, in particular the Generations Z’s and Millennials. Tom states “I think discussing this topic regularly, consistently and at the scale we are today is a vital step to ensuring the industry problems of attraction and retention of young talent is not made worse in the future.”

The Seminar brought together individuals, trade union representatives, employees and workers, committed to a finding a better way to work and address the issues the industry faces.

For more information on the joint Industry project click here.