City & Guilds has accredited the UK Timber Frame Association’s (UKTFA) training and accreditation programme for designers and manufacturers, giving a major boost towards a fully qualified workforce at every stage of timber frame construction.

The programme, which follows on from the success of the UKTFA’s erector training and accreditation programme, will be relevant to all designers and manufacturers of timber frame kits and is suitable for automated, semi-automated and manual manufacturing processes. UKTFA qualifications are recognised by all leading timber frame manufacturers in the UK.

Chris Wall, Group Business Manager at City & Guilds for Business, said: “We are pleased to be able to add the Designers and Manufacturers programme to the UKTFA’s Accreditation portfolio. The standard of the programmes at all levels is excellent, as is the overall quality assurance systems which support the training and assessment. We continue to be impressed by the UKTFA’s desire to address the Timber Frame industry’s need for a fully trained and qualified workforce at every stage of the supply chain”.

Three candidates from Stewart Milne Timber Systems - Andrew Milne, Angus Hay and Robert Sinclair - were the first three candidates to complete the manufacturers’ programme and to achieve the Gold Award for their high standard of work. A further 6 people have registered for the manufacturers’ programme, plus another 6 timber frame designers.

Paul Mitchell, Managing Director of Stewart Milne Timber Systems (Scotland), said: "The focus on improving quality and customer satisfaction continues to increase and the UKTFA programme is a fantastic way to ensure organisations are properly skilled to exceed customer expectations. At Stewart Milne we are committed to training and development and are delighted to be at the forefront of this. As industry leader, we believe this will facilitate adoption across the industry providing increased confidence in the credibility of the industry and those who work in it."

The accredited training schemes are available at three different levels. Bronze level is an extension to the induction programme, while silver is suitable for the majority of staff already involved in the design or manufacture of timber frame. Gold, for senior designer or operatives at production foreman level is the highest level qualification of its type.

Ray Curran, head of education and training at the UKTFA, says: “When it comes to choosing a construction method and a quality supply chain, developers have much higher expectations than ever before and so it’s essential that there is formal recognition of where competency lies within the timber frame industry. It is also imperative that the timber frame industry has a framework of accredited programmes to allow candidates to progress as experience is gained. The UKTFA will continue to work closely with housebuilders and the wider timber frame industry to ensure we have a fully qualified, motivated workforce for the future.

“The UKTFA’s manufacturing, design and erection training and assessment initiatives will give our people the recognition they deserve and protect their route into these markets. We will endeavour to ensure that standards and skills levels are of the highest order. The qualifications build confidence throughout the supply chain from the drawing board to the finished building and make a difference where it really matters. We will continue to work closely to help the industry respond to society’s continuing demand for high quality timber frame buildings.”

Issued on behalf of the UK Timber Frame Association by Liz Male Consulting Ltd. For further information, please contact: Liz Male or Georgina Watkins, tel. 01908 551976.
For further information on timber frame and the work of the UKTFA go to: www.timber-frame.org