Jo Cane is the IT development consultant at the Business Solutions Group of TRADA Technology & FIRA International

“I changed career from accountancy to IT some time ago and have been working for TRADA for two years now. The job offers a lot of variety, from strategic planning meetings to development of key performance indicators for the industry and the systems to capture and process the data.

“My specialism is in website generation and database development. Until recently the timber industry did not have the type of key performance indicators (KPIs) available in other sectors. TRADA has been co-ordinating their development and I have had to design methods and systems of capturing and comparing data from companies as varied as trussed rafter manufacturers to joinery firms of all sizes.

“Getting the buy-in from industry has taken time, partly because IT systems in the timber sector are not so well developed. The timber trade is developing its use of IT systems in terms of databases, internet access and website development. As a result there’s plenty of opportunity for IT people to come in and help develop companies!”