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MAKITA HELPS 'TRAIN THE TRAINERS' OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF FURNITURE

As official sponsor of the National School of Furniture (NSF), the joint initiative between Bucks New University and City of Oxford College, based at High Wycombe, Makita UK has hosted a successful 'Train the Trainers' event for course technicians.

Held at the company’s own National Training Centre at the Milton Keyne’s HQ, Andrew Shenton, course leader of the three-year BA (Hons) Furniture: Design & Craft course, and two of his experienced technicians, Horia Broscatan and Dominic Jones, spent the day discovering and experimenting with new tools and the correct and safest way to use them within the workplace and the home.  Makita is the only power tool manufacturer to offer training and is the first to offer City & Guilds certified courses in the safe and correct use of power tools.

“We were particularly keen to refresh ourselves on the use of routers,” says Andrew Shenton.  “Our second year students are working on projects that require the use of the Makita RT0700 router trimmer quite early in their coursework and we encourage them, with our guidance, to allow these high performance tools to do some of the initial preparation work.

“The weight and balance of the Makita RT0700 are perfect for students who are new to making, yet the precision and versatility enables more experienced students to develop their craft skills.”

There are many indispensable ‘How To’ video guides hosted on www.makitauk.com and You Tube.  Most are delivered by woodworking industry expert Alan Holtham and the popular and informative ‘How To’ guide to the RT0700C Makita router trimmer has received over 25,000 plays since its launch in Spring 2012.

Of equal interest to the NSF technicians were the Makita Multi-Tool machines, available in mains and battery operated options, which offer the capacity of sawing, plunge cutting, rasping and sanding – all from one tool - and comes with a comprehensive range of blades and accessories.  Functions are endless with the versatile Makita TM3000 and BTM multi-tool range which makes installation and repair tasks simple and fast.

“We were in good company,” says Makita’s head trainer Ray Wilby.  “We exchanged knowledge and advice and we know Andrew and his team will take some valuable skills and techniques back to the students at the NSF.  We are already thinking ahead to how we can help further.  Our training modules are constantly evolving with Makita’s new technology and market-leading product introductions so there’s always something interesting and innovative to share.”

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