……………………………….
YOU will find examples of its work in St Paul’s Cathedral and the Barbican Concert Hall in London, as well as at Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The country’s leading commercial and prime residential architects turn to the cabinetry and interior woodwork skills housed at a company on the Northamptonshire border.
More than four decades on and NBJ (London) continues to supply the world’s leading architects and designers with joinery created through a combination of traditional values applied to cutting-edge design and innovation.
Having founded the business in 1982 aged 23 in a small village on the border of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, Neil Burke opened for business in a former garage. 42 years on, NBJ (London) employs more than 55 skilled staff and is passing on its skills, experience, knowledge and expertise to the next generation of joiners.
NBJ (London) works closely with Moulton College in Northampton, providing work placements and apprenticeships, advising the college’s Furniture Studies course tutors on curriculum content geared to developing work-ready students and delivering insights on the industry.
“Working closely with colleges and schools to inspire the next generation of bench joiners and specialist craftspeople is important, not only for the future of our company but for the woodworking trade and wider construction industry as a whole,” said Neil.
Proof of the NBJ input’s value is at NBJ’s factory in the form of former Moulton College student Jonah Cotton and current third-year student Jonathan Bull, both employed on site at the firm’s head office in Husbands Bosworth.
Moulton College works closely with employers from a range of industries to help develop the skills of its students. This includes workplace behaviours and expectations, ranging from communication and time management to team working and resilience, in addition to developing general and sector-relevant practical skills.
Now, in recognition of the close relationship and the opportunities the company offers its students and staff, Moulton College has presented NBJ with a Skills Heroes award.
“Neil and his team have done so much for our students by helping to develop their skills, which in turn improves their career prospects,” said Furniture Studies lecturer Adam Palmer. “There is a growing skills gap in heritage joinery, specialist woodwork and the furniture-making industry and as such there are so many job opportunities out there for the right people.”
The courses themselves focus on furniture design and manufacture and have been crafted with significant input from employers. “By working with potential future employers such as NBJ, our students get to experience first-hand what bench joinery and working on heritage craft projects is like, as well as to utilise the specialist tools we have here in our college workshop to create bespoke pieces of furniture.”
Neil and his son Chris – a director in the firm today – received the award from Adam at the firm’s head office.
“We are delighted to have received a Skills Heroes award from Moulton College,” Neil said. “Partnering with Moulton College means we can help shape the curriculum to ensure students are taught relevant skills, while those interested in work placements with us can learn from our dedicated workforce.
“It is also a great opportunity for us to welcome future talent at NBJ.”
……………………………….
Stay connected with Northamptonshire business through Business Times. Join our exclusive community for the latest news, insights, updates, features and thought leadership.
Stay informed – subscribe now at bit.ly/437DsSm. Unsubscribe at any time.
