Training Provider Spotlight: Didac

For over 25 years, Didac has carved out a niche, developing training and consultancy expertise in the furniture, joinery and woodworking sectors. Foundation and advanced woodworking skills are taught through short courses and apprenticeships both at their first-class workshops in the Woodwise Academy, located three miles east of Bristol City centre and in the workplace.

Their extensive apprenticeship offering includes:

Furniture and woodworking

Wood Products Manufacturing Operative – Level 2

Furniture Making – Level 2

Wood Machining – Level 2

Architectural bench Joiner – Level 2

Carpentry and Joinery – Level 2

Fitted Furniture

Fitted Interiors Installer – Level 2

Fitted Furniture Design Technician – Level 3

Management, Sales & Warehousing

Customer Service Specialist – Level 3

Business Administration – Level 3

Trade Supplier – Level 2

Customer Service Practitioner – Level 2

Supply Chain Warehouse operative – level 2

“The Didac programme was a great way to kickstart my career at Howdens, it allowed me to learn through the job role and I had great support from my trainer. I would recommend Didac to anyone looking to start an apprenticeship.” Customer Service Practitioner Apprentice, Howdens Joinery

90% of the training delivered by Didac is in the workplace (throughout the UK), where occupationally experienced staff will teach your team on your equipment in your factory. The remaining 10% of their programs are taught in the Woodwise Academy, increasingly however, employers are sending their apprentices to the Academy, for day or block release training.

All courses, wherever they are taught are tailored to the needs of the employer and the apprentice, which means that from the first day’s training and during integration into the workplace, an apprentices can settle in and feel valued quickly.

Last academic year their achievement rates were 64%, which is 12% above the national average.

The team at Didac also have specialist Health & Safety expertise in the woodworking industry, excelling in the provision of Occupational Health and Safety training and helping companies comply with their legal obligations and achieve best practice within the bounds of ‘reasonably practical’.

Services provided include:

• Dust monitoring survey – detection and mapping
• Noise monitoring survey – detection and mapping
• Woodworking workshop audits and risk assessments
• Woodworking machinery audits and risk assessments
• Safe Systems of Work (SSOW)
• Accredited face fit testing for COSHH
• Fire Marshall Training
• Machine risk assessments
• Development of site COSHH Register
• Sourcing Safety Data sheets
• COSHH risk assessments
• Development of policies and procedures
• Health and Safety Management System

Martin James, founder of Didac, said: “A Didac training programme improves the knowledge, capability and productivity of woodworking and furniture operatives in whatever sector or setting they are working in.  We are very proud of our apprentices and their achievement rates.” 

To find out more visit their website: www.didac.co.uk