A pilot of the TTF’s new regional and educational engagement strategy took place on 4 February 2020, organised by TTF’s Regional Engagement and Education Manager, Tabitha Binding, the Western Timber Trade Association, and the Neath Port Talbot (NPTC) Group of Colleges.
The ‘Talking Timber’ day encouraged both lecturers and students in carpentry, joinery and construction, to find out more about today’s timber industry and products, plus advances such as modified wood, CLT and glulam. Eight timber industry professionals, 15 local employers and employees and over 70 carpentry and joinery students took part in the event, which included a mini exhibition.
“Timber provides a myriad of solutions that are not yet taught at college in the UK and we are taking the lead in changing this,” said Wayne Probert, WTTA Chairman and UK Director at Binderholz. In addition to Wayne Probert and Tabitha Binding, also giving presentations during the morning session of the event were Nick Boulton, director of the Trussed Rafter Association, Dr Andy Pitman of TTF members Lignia Wood, the only UK-based manufacturer of modified wood, and Mark Jenkins of nationwide distributors James Latham Timber. Noel Gordon of So Modular talked about offsite construction alongside Gary Numan, Chairman of Woodknowledge Wales, in the afternoon, with Robin Lancashire of BM TRADA concluding the afternoon line-up.
Nick Boulton of the Trussed Rafter Association said: “It was great for TRA to partner with WTTA and the other organisations involved in the event kindly hosted by Neath Port Talbot College. It allows us to communicate essential messages about site safety and quality of installation to the next generation of site carpenters and joiners in the South Wales region.”
“It’s about people,” said TTF’s Tabitha Binding. “Bringing the right people together – those that have the practical knowledge – with those who are learning enables us to start the conversation and make the connections which these young people need to have a successful career in building with and utilising the sustainable raw material that is the mainstay of our industry.”
The TTF is leading a multi-pronged approach to enlighten, enthuse and educate current and future design professionals and craftsmen to construct healthier, warmer and more energy efficient low carbon buildings. Further such events are now being planned across the country, expanding TTF’s regional engagement with the wood-using communities across the UK.
