National training for timber industry
2009-10-08
A MAJOR milestone for South Africa’s timber construction industry was reached this week, with the launch of the first training facility of the Timber Frame Builders Association’s (TFBA) at Boland College in Paarl. Through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) approved training programmes that will be offered, the TFBA aims to promote a uniform level of timber construction knowledge throughout the country, and to build a national pool of properly qualified timber frame contractors whose quality of workmanship will conform to the standards required by the Code of Practice for Timber Buildings in the National Building Regulations. “The timber frame construction system, which is rapidly gaining ground in South Africa, is vastly different from the traditional brick-and-mortar method, hence the need for proper training in this specialist field,” says Leon Bekker, the national president of the TFBA. “The hands-on training to be provided will enable timber frame builders and the industry workforce to construct structurally sound, comfortable and safe structures, carrying forward the TFBA’s unblemished construction track record of nearly three decades.” Occupying an area of more than 4 000 m², the new training facility consists of two buildings: the main one comprising offices, a reception area and a 60m² lecture room that can comfortably seat up to 30 trainees. The second consists only of a skeleton structure that is roofed over. “This is the hands-on training building where up to 12 students at a time will be taught to sheath, clad, line and joint, or skim the wall surfaces,” says Bekker. “The rest of the area has been set up to teach wall panel manufacturing and erecting, roof erecting and timber roof construction.” The curriculum, which will include both practical and theoretical components, is outcomes-based and will initially consist of seven modules covering all aspects of timber frame construction. Subjects will range from health and safety, reading and interpreting drawings; setting out (the industry term used for the process of setting out a building on a site); excavating; casting concrete strip foundation walling and casting concrete slab, to building the timber frame walls; erecting ceilings, timber frame partitions and roof trusses; and cladding roof structures. The training courses will vary in length from five to 30 days and are SAQA accredited .Enquiries on 021-845-4435 or e-mail info@tfba.co.za.
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