BUSINESS HELPDESK HELP DESK
IOBM: A KEY INCENTIVE TO JOIN THE MERCHANT INDUSTRY
As the social media campaign driving traffic to the
www.bmcareers.com web site gains momentum in the lead up to the consumer press launch in February, the IoBM is actively reviewing its offering to introduce more exclusive benefits that support career progression.
DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING and advancing the profession of merchanting, the Institute of Builders Merchants (IoBM) is transforming how the merchant industry is perceived, offering a compelling incentive for new talent to join the sector.
With its rich history, dating back to 1968, and a renewed focus on career development, the IoBM is a key pillar of the BMF’s sector awareness programme. As such, it is set to deliver a huge advantage as the campaign ramps up throughout 2025 showcasing the industry’s potential and providing greater credibility with school and college leavers and their advisers as well as more experienced career switchers considering their next steps.
The IoBM’s merger with the BMF in 2021 paved the wave for a more robust and inclusive approach, with the IoBM’s management team developing the vision and strategy to move the Institute towards its ultimate goal, to achieve Chartered status. Currently supporting over 1,800 members, the IoBM provides access to accredited qualifications, mentoring, networking events and resources to help individuals at every stage of their careers. The planned enhancements to its benefits will make IoBM membership even more valuable, solidifying its role in fostering talent and growth.
By promoting accredited training, mentoring and personal development, the IoBM empowers employers and individual employees alike to thrive. For employers, encouraging and investing IoBM membership and training for their teams is a
10
relevant work experience, and this provides an alternative route to progression. By proudly displaying their IoBM membership on email signatures and CVs, members clearly signify their commitment to their career in merchanting. The IoBM’s unique mentoring platform offers another enormous benefit for individuals looking to accelerate their development. Edward Parlato of Browns Builders Merchants, and the current chair of the BMF Young Merchant Group, views this as one of biggest reasons to join, saying: “If you join as a student member there are lots of senior people in big businesses looking to mentor you and bring you along. There are not many other places where you would get a CEO willing to pick up the phone to someone who has only been in the industry for a couple of years.” This view is shared by Costas Marcou, sales & marketing director at Ethan Mason Paving, and an IoBM associate member himself, who says: “You can gain knowledge and experience from people who have been working in the industry for a long time, and there are great resources to continue your development and learning.”
wise strategic move. By doing so, employers are demonstrating their commitment to professional development, which in turn enhances skills retention. A skilled workforce not only boosts productivity but also cultivates a culture of excellence and innovation.
A key new feature is the framework of IoBM accredited qualifications, designed
to recognise an individual employee’s skills and support their career progression through a membership pathway ranging from Student to Fellow. While academic courses such as the Diploma in Merchant Management, now accredited by the IoBM, offer a valid route to grade progression, the IoBM also recognises that some people develop their skills through
The start of 2025 is the ideal time to engage with the IoBM, whether as an individual or an employer. Take advantage of its evolving offering and be part of a movement that is redefining merchanting as a respected profession. BMJ
• To find out more, and to join the IoBM, visit
www.bmf.org. uk/iobm.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
