Natalie Cole manages the Apprentice and Skills Plus Service, a free service which aims to facilitate the increase in numbers of people taking up apprenticeships and other forms of training to help tackle the skills shortage in the furniture sector. The service supports businesses through the process of taking on apprentices by connecting businesses with relevant accredited training providers, matching job roles and skills gaps to apprenticeship standards, accessing funding and finding the right apprentice through promotional opportunities. The Apprentice and Skills Plus Service is funded by The Furniture Makers' Company and the Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA).