Commercial Interiors UK (CIUK) is a partner of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the representative body that brings together leading trade associations across the UK furniture, beds, furnishings and flooring sector. Established in 2006, the BFC acts as a collective voice for a sector contributing around £40 billion to the UK economy and supporting more than 230,000 jobs across over 30,000 businesses.
On behalf of its members and the wider sector, Tony Attard, Chairman of the BFC, has written to the newly appointed Secretary of State for Education, Lucy Powell MP, setting out the industry’s priorities for skills and education and offering to work with Government on the development of future policy.
The letter highlights a growing skills challenge across furniture, furnishings and flooring, driven by an ageing workforce and difficulties attracting young people into specialist manufacturing, craft and design roles. It argues for closer alignment between education and the needs of employers, while also making the case for creativity, design and practical making to be recognised as important economic skills rather than treated as secondary to more traditional academic routes.
Among the issues raised are the need to improve careers advice and awareness of opportunities in the sector, increase support for 16–19 technical education, strengthen links between schools, employers and Government, and ensure industry has a meaningful role in shaping future qualifications through Skills England. The BFC also calls for greater promotion and long-term support for the Craft and Design T Level, including its Furniture Maker and Upholsterer specialisms, warning that low awareness should not be mistaken for a lack of demand.
The letter reflects work already taking place across the sector through initiatives including the Furniture & Interiors Education, Skills & Training Alliance (FIESTA) and The Furniture Makers’ Company, while calling for a supportive policy framework that will help attract and develop the next generation of skilled talent.
This letter was subsequently also sent to The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science, and Trade, and The Rt Hon Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.
