We hope you find your question answered below. If you have more questions please do not hesitate to contact the IOC on 020 7256 2700 or email us on info@instituteofcarpenters.com

What is the Institute of Carpenters?

The Institute of Carpenters was founded in 1890 by 11 craftsmen who had achieved first class passes in new exams set by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters. Today, the Institute of Carpenters is the natural home for everyone working or teaching in the woodworking profession, including joiners, carpenters and shopfitters.

We aim to:

• promote and enhance the role and status of skilled craftsmen and women everywhere;
• encourage the highest standards of carpentry and joinery work; and
• maintain the best traditions of our historic craft.

For more information, please contact:

The Institute of Carpenters
Third Floor D
Carpenters' Hall
1 Throgmorton Avenue
London EC2N 2BY

Telephone: 020 7256 2700

Fax: 020 7256 2701

Email: info@instituteofcarpenters.com

What qualifications can it offer?

The Institute of Carpenters is the only organisation in the UK to offer practical and theoretical examinations in woodworking skills and supervisory and management techniques on an annual basis.

A Foundation Certificate is available to students who are still at school, and four further levels are offered: Intermediate, Licentiate (LIOC), Membership (MIOC), and Fellowship (FIOC).

For more information about exams run by the Institute of Carpenters, please contact:

David R Winson

Registrar (Examinations)

The Institute of Carpenters
Central Office
35 Hayworth Rd, Sandiacre Nottingham
NG10 5LL

Telephone: 0115 949 0641

Fax: 0115 949 1664

Email: david@instituteofcarpenters.com

Michele Crosland

Administrator

Email: michele@instituteofcarpenters.com

Can I become a member of the Institute of Carpenters?

Members of the Institute of Carpenters are associated with the very highest standards of craftsmanship and professionalism. You will have the prestige and public recognition of belonging to a highly respected organisation which aims to:

• promote and enhance the role and status of skilled craftsmen and women everywhere;
• encourage the highest standards of carpentry and joinery work; and
• maintain the best traditions of our historic craft.

Find more information about becoming a member here, or contact:

IOC Membership Administration
Warners Group
The Maltings
West Street
Bourne
Lincolnshire
PE10 9PH

Telephone: 01778 392 495

Email: FionaB@warnersgroup.co.uk

What are the grades of membership?

Fellow

FIOC/FFJM/FFOS - has passed the Institute's Fellowship examination (IOC only) or holds a relevant Degree/HNC/HND and has been employed in a managerial position for not less than five years and is over 35 years of age.

Member

MIOC - has passed the Institute's Advanced Craft Certificate (Practical & Theory) or holds an S/NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds Advanced Craft Certificate with relevant practical experience.
MFJM - must be over 25 years of age with relevant experience and with a minimum of five years' experience in one or more of the following disciplines: joinery management, setting out, estimating, buying or contracts management.
MFOS - must be over 25 years of age with relevant experience and with a minimum of five years' experience in one or more of the following functions in a shopfitting firm organisation: setting out, estimating, buying or contract surveying.

Associate

AFOS/AFJM (Faculties of Shopfitting and Joinery Management)

An associate level if available for those who are unable at the current time to meet the criteria of Member level but wish to progress to that level within a maximum of five years.

Licentiate

LIOC (IOC only)

Has passed the Institute's Advanced Craft Practical Certificate or holds an S/NVQ Level 2 or City & Guilds Craft Certificate with more than three years' relevant practical experience - one of which must be post-qualification.

Affiliate/Intermediate

Has passed the Institute's Intermediate examination or has obtained a Level 2 Certificate or who holds an S/NVQ Level 2 but requires further practical experience.

Mature Student

Currently studying for a recognised qualification in a carpentry, joinery or shopfitting related subject. Open to all students over the age of 23 for a maximum of four years or until such time as a higher grade of membership has been attained, whichever is the earlier.

Student

Currently studying for a recognised qualification in a carpentry, joinery, or shopfitting related subject. Open to all students between the ages of 16 and 22 for a maximum of four years (extendable for a further two years if required) or until such time as a higher grade of membership has been attained, whichever is the earlier.


What are the current subscription rates?

All entry fees include a welcome pack and certificate of membership
Grade	Entry Fee £	Full Rate £	Discounted rate DDM £
Fellow	26.00	95.00	90.00
Member	26.00	84.00	79.00
Licentiate/ Associate	26.00	62.00	57.00
Affiliate/ Intermediate	26.00	46.00	41.00
*Student	15.50	26.00	n/a

* Students aged 16-22 or Mature students aged 23 and over on the understanding that they have been accepted for, are engaged in, or have completed and recognised course of study in carpentry, joinery or shopfitting.


Are there any competitions I can enter?

The Institute of Carpenters supports competitions and awards to encourage interest in the woodworking profession and promote the highest standards of craftsmanship.

• SKILLBUILD competitions are supervised by the IOC and are open to craftsmen and women aged 22 or under.

For further information, please call the SKILLBUILD Central Office: 01323 645882, or visit www.skillbuild.org

The Carpenters’ Craft Competition is the only national competition open to students of carpentry, joinery and shop fitting. It gives outstanding students the chance to showcase their work and have it judged by leaders in the field.

With prizes of up to £500 available, the competition aims to encourage and reward highly motivated students who are prepared to go that extra mile to achieve the highest possible standards.

Go to Competitions and awards to find out more about all of these opportunities.

What is the Carpenters’ Company?

The Carpenters’ Company is one of a number of livery companies in the City of London.

It is one of the oldest of the companies, dating back to the thirteenth century, and was originally a medieval trade guild, set up to look after the welfare and interests of carpenters living and working in London.

The Carpenters’ Company today continues its centuries’ long tradition of charitable and educational activities and maintains close links with the carpentry and woodworking professions.

Where can I find out more about the Building Crafts College?

The Building Crafts College was set up in 1893 by the Carpenters’ Company as the Trades Training School.

Today, the College is a government-sponsored centre of vocational excellence and teaches a wide range of fine woodworking and stonemasonry skills as well as related subjects such as conservation and restoration. It also offers apprenticeship schemes, and qualifications in specialist areas such as bench joinery, shop fitting and architectural stone carving. Evening classes are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Dynamic and forward-looking, the College accepts students of all ages and from all walks of life who wish to pursue excellence and outstanding craftsmanship in their chosen field. It is based in state-of-the-art facilities in East London.

Please visit the Building Crafts College website.

Do you have a regular publication?

The Institute of Carpenters publishes The Cutting Edge every two months. This full colour magazine includes a wide range of articles, news, readers’ letters and information on training and health and safety.

If you are a member you can read back issues of Cutting Edge. Log in here.