The British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) is part of a pan-European push to bridge the skills gap in the wood and furniture industries.
IN4WOOD is a project aimed to design and develop training content, to provide production managers and CEOs with an overview of the specific needs of the sector regarding information, communication and key enabling technologies.
With Europe believed to be on the brink of its fourth industrial revolution - known as Industry 4 - the age of technology has the potential to transform the way goods are manufactured.
With that in mind, the project will undertake a deep analysis of the furniture sector, looking at the current level of knowledge and skills to define the needs of the market. It will also provide a training path guide for smart furniture factories of the future, promote better anticipation of ICT skills, design and develop a joint curriculum and deliver it using an e-learning platform.
Steve Moore, BFM's director of consultant services, and representative on the project, says: "The BFM is in an alliance with 12 European project partners from the furniture, wood and education sectors to help equip those working within the industry with the right skills for the digitalisation of their factories.
"The project will analyse the new digital benefits, explore ways in which organisations will need to invest in people, equipment, information and communication technologies (ICT) in relation to market requirements."
