Recently I attended the Structural Timber Conference and Awards.
As always, it was fascinating to spend time with so many passionate experts, hearing about everything from technical innovation and manufacturing improvements to market conditions and future opportunities. Just as valuable was the chance to catch up face to face with clients, contacts, and friends from across the sector.
One theme came through more strongly than I can remember in recent years.
People wanted to talk about skills! Not just as a passing conversation or polite networking question, but with genuine interest and concern. Where is the skills market today? Where is it heading next? What are businesses doing to attract, retain and develop talent? How are staffing requirements changing?
As recruiters operating within the sector, it was a reminder that we have a responsibility to understand these trends and feed them back to the industry. We speak to employers and candidates every day, across multiple disciplines and businesses, and that insight has value beyond recruitment alone.
Why We Sponsor the Balloons
ARV Solutions has sponsored the balloons at the Structural Timber Awards for 12 years.
Is it nice seeing our name displayed across the room and in the subsequent photos? Of course it is. But that’s not why we do it. The structural timber industry sits at the very heart of our business. While we work across the wider offsite construction and manufacturing supply chain, our journey started in timber frame and it remains a vital part of what we do today.
Recruitment activity within housing-related timber frame has undoubtedly been quieter this year as housing volumes have reduced. However, the demand for specialist skills has certainly not disappeared. Key people still leave, businesses still grow, succession plans still need delivering, and critical roles still need filling. In many cases, the challenge isn’t finding someone. It’s finding the right someone.
Finding the Difficult-to-Find
We’re fortunate to work with many of the businesses responsible for the outstanding projects celebrated at the awards. These companies come to us when they need specialist experience, hard-to-find skills, or individuals who can bridge the gap between construction and manufacturing.
Often people describe these as “impossible” roles to fill.
The reality is that almost every role we work on is difficult!
Understanding timber systems, manufacturing environments, DfMA, BIM, automation, quality processes, production planning, design coordination, engineering and site operations isn’t straightforward. The overlap between construction and manufacturing creates a unique skills challenge that many recruitment businesses struggle to navigate. For us, though, that’s the day job.
Are We Celebrating the Right Things?
One thought that has stayed with me after the event is whether enough attention is given to the part of the industry that will ultimately drive the greatest growth.
The award-winning projects are often spectacular. Innovative architecture, landmark buildings and groundbreaking engineering deserve recognition and help showcase what timber can achieve. But are we focusing too heavily on those projects?
Meanwhile, the sectors delivering timber-frame housing at scale, investing in BIM, DfMA, manufacturing systems, automation, quality management and workforce development can sometimes receive less attention than they deserve. Yet these are the foundations on which future growth will be built.
Housing may not always have the visual impact of a landmark mass timber project, but it remains the core of the industry and the area where many of the sector’s biggest skills challenges and opportunities exist.
Perhaps it’s time to consider whether award categories and judging criteria could do more to recognise the businesses, teams and individuals driving innovation and excellence in mainstream housing delivery. I’ve been saying it for a few years now. And after this year’s event, I probably believe it more than ever.
To see this year’s worthy winners visit the website here:
2026 Winners – Structural Timber Awards 2026
