The next generation of timber industry professionals were provided with a vital briefing on safety and quality issues in trussed rafter roof construction at the first Talking Timber event held at Neath Port Talbot College (NPTC) Group.
With the UK construction industry facing serious skills shortages, the current generations of students are the focus of lots of attention and effort to ensure that they stay within the industry and can provide a well-informed, highly safety-conscious workforce.
Nick Boulton, chief executive of the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA), talked to the NPTC Group’s carpentry and joinery students about career options within the timber engineering sector.
The students were taught about the ten fundamental steps of site safety that must be followed when handling, storing and installing trussed rafters, and were shown the types of trussed rafters and their different applications.
Organised by the Western Timber Trade Association (WTTA), the event brought together experts from across the timber industry to inspire the up-and-coming timber talent.
Nick said: “It was important for the TRA to partner with the WTTA and the other organisations involved in the event hosted by NPTC Group, and to talk directly to the students who will play such a pivotal role in our industry within just a few years. Safety is at the forefront of everything that the TRA does. The event allowed us to communicate our essential messages about site safety, industry good practice and the importance of quality installation to the next generation of site carpenters and joiners in the South Wales region.”
