Building Confidence, Skills, and Community
Ready to take your first steps into the furniture-making industry? This 6-week course offers hands-on training, technical skills, and the support you need to build your confidence and pursue a career in furniture. Whether you’re a recent graduate, career switcher, or looking for an entry point, this programme is tailored for you. Application are now open for our 6-week workshop experience as part of our Woodworking and Gender Project.
Through machine training, timber processing, and batch production of furniture, you’ll get a real taste of working in a professional workshop. You’ll work independently and in teams, guided by expert tutors and inspired by industry-leading women who teach additional engaging topics like woodturning and marquetry.
Who is this course for?
As part of the Heritage Lottery-funded Woodworking and Gender Project, this course tackles gender imbalance in the industry by providing training opportunities and collaborating with education providers and businesses to promote diversity. We warmly welcome applications from cis women, trans women, trans men, and non-binary individuals.
- Early-career makers seeking hands-on experience.
- Recent graduates ready to apply their skills in a professional context.
- Career changers eager to find their place in the furniture industry.
- Anyone passionate about woodworking but lacking the confidence or connections to get started.
The course fee is £250, with £100 refunded upon completion. If this cost is a barrier, please let us know—we’re here to help make the course accessible to everyone.
What you’ll gain:
- Technical Skills: Build a foundation in machine training, furniture-making techniques, and try specialist skills like marquetry and woodturning.
- Practical Experience: Work on individual projects and engage in low-volume batch production to build real-world experiences.
- Community and Representation: Connect with peers, tutors, and inspiring female, trans and non-binary industry leaders in an environment where everyone belongs.
Mission and Approach
At the heart of this course is a mission to empower marginalised genders to confidently enter and thrive in the furniture industry. We aim to create an inclusive, supportive space where technical expertise, creativity, and community come together to inspire personal and professional growth.
As a pilot programme, we’ve designed the course to be more flexible and accessible than ever before. The 6-week programme runs five days per week, with a schedule tailored to accommodate participants with caring responsibilities. Sessions begin no earlier than 10 am and can end flexibly, but no later than 4pm. Teaching is clearly structured, with focused one hour learning blocks to support engagement and retention.
We foster a sense of community and connection through weekly communal lunches where you’ll meet inspiring role models and industry leaders. These shared meals provide a unique opportunity to network, gain insights, and build lasting relationships. Fun and creative sessions , like woodturning and marquetry, are woven into the programme to encourage collaboration and artistic exploration.
To help participants prepare for the professional world, we incorporate tailored 1:1 support and industry insights into the course. Industry leaders will offer feedback on CVs, applications, and the furniture industry as a whole. Where desired, participants can connect with mentors for additional guidance. You’ll also have opportunities to showcase your work during Oxfordshire Art Weeks (17 & 18 May) and gain inspiration and unique industry insights during a visit to a professional workshop.
This comprehensive approach ensures that while you build technical skills, you also develop the confidence, connections, and knowledge to pursue your goals in the industry.
Start course: Tuesday 6th May 2025
End course: Friday 13th June 2025
Where: Sylva Wood Centre, Little Wittenham Road, Long Wittenham, OX14 4QT
Application Process
We want this process to be as welcoming and accessible as possible. Please share your application by 28th February 2025, noon via email to gender@sylva.org.uk.
Submissions are welcome in any format that feels right to you—this could be text, a PDF, a video, a website, or even a portfolio.
We’ll schedule an informal chat with all applicants during the week of 3rd-7th March 2025. You’ll be informed of our decision by 12th March 2025, giving you ample time to plan ahead before the course begins on 6th May 2025.
What we’d like to know:
- Your Motivation
- Why do you want to take part in this course?
- What excites or inspires you about furniture making?
- Your Experience
- Do you have any experience in woodworking, furniture making, craft, or design?
- This could include formal education, personal projects, or other creative endeavors. No specific format required—share it however feels right for you.
- About You
- Tell us anything you’d like us to know about yourself or your situation.
- If you face any barriers to accessing training or education (financial, caring responsibilities, neurodiversity, disabilities, or others), feel free to share this with us. This will not affect your chances but will help us ensure we meet your needs and provide a great experience.
Need help?
If you have any questions about the application process or need assistance submitting your application, please don’t hesitate to contact us at gender@sylva.org.uk. We’re happy to help in any way we can!
Come and meet us
We warmly invite you to our Open Day on 8th February 2025 at the Sylva Wood Centre. This is a great opportunity to visit us, explore the facilities, and have an informal chat about the course. We’d love to meet you!
The Woodworking and Gender project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Conran Foundation, The Mila Charitable Trust, Benchmark Furniture Ltd, Vastern Timber Ltd. Thanks to these funding organisations and National Lottery players, we will ensure future generations of skilled and resilient women and non-binary woodworkers are able to support the woodworking heritage of this country for years to come.
