The Furniture Makers’ Company is launching an early careers website, MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk, in a bid to help reduce the growing skills gap, that will offer businesses a tool in fulfilling vital recruitment and training needs.
Launching this autumn, MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk will be aimed at young people (15-24 years old) who are still deciding on a career path, while signposting those looking for industry-specific training and aiming to connect those seeking a job in the industry with employers.
Through MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk, businesses in the furnishing industry will have access to a range of resources, expert guidance, and tools to improve and ease their hiring and training processes. The website will serve as "a bridge between employers and talented individuals seeking to embark on exciting careers within the sector", says The Furniture Makers' Company.
The website’s features will include: a free early career jobs board connecting industry and thousands of jobseekers – employers advertising jobs will have the option to create a company page to promote their organisation and advertise their vacancies at a small cost; a searchable database of all industry-specific training within the UK, including apprenticeships; and regular content which speaks to a young audience, encouraging them to pursue rewarding careers within the furniture and furnishing industry – this content will highlight the diverse range of roles and opportunities available.
The new platform is being developed with Get My First Job and The Talent People – experts in in the early careers sphere – with MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk to benefit from exposure to Get My First Job’s database of 10,000 new registered users every month.
The Furniture Makers’ Company is working closely with industry trade associations (Commercial Interiors UK, the British Furniture Manufacturers, the Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance and the National Bed Federation), the Design and Technology Association, educational institutions as well as its own membership and network of Young Furniture Makers to promote the website.
Jonny Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company, says: “Contributing a huge £41.2b to the UK economy, the furniture and furnishing industry is a powerhouse employing over 300,000 people in hundreds of different roles that suit a diverse range of interests, skills and passions. Our industry offers a world of opportunities for young people looking to forge successful careers with a wide variety of paths available.
“MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk will offer businesses from all sectors of the wider industry a specialist, dedicated platform to promote job vacancies and research suitable training from established providers to upskill their employees. We encourage businesses to register on MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk so that they can get early access ahead of the launch.”
