Woodknowledge Wales

Woodknowledge Wales

Inspiring innovation through collaboration

Skills and Education

Sawmillers CoP Timber grading course

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A complimentary Sawmillers Community of Practice (CoP) practical hands-on visual strength grading course with Phil O’Leary

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Saturday 19 October
10 – 4
15 Community of Practice members
Glynllifon College. Clynnog Rd, Caernarfon LL54 5DU
Phil O’Leary, Director, Filros Timber Consultancy
John Sweeny, Specialist Advisor Small Scale Sawmilling
Ceri Loxton, University Liaison and Skills

Whether you are a complete beginner or already qualified in timber grading this is your chance to learn from an expert with over 30 years’ experience working in the sector in the UK. Following on from the very successful “Timber 101” sessions held at WoodBUILD 2024 this one-day course will be an opportunity for you/your staff to learn more about ‘features’ used to visually strength grade softwoods.

There is no charge for this course for members of our Sawmillers Community of Practice (CoP). In you are not a member, please contact Ceri via the ‘Apply for CoP membership’ button or consider our open course on Friday 18 October.

What to expect: During the day you will do a little bit of theory backed up with lots of opportunity to handle both small and large sections of timber. You will be shown how to measure features such as knots, compression wood, fissures, grain angle in order to visually strength grade softwood timber. You will practice using these skills on specifically selected softwood timber samples to help embed the learning. In addition, there will be lots of opportunities to exchange knowledge and get valuable industry insights from Phil O’Leary who has worked in the sector for years.

Who should attend: This course is for people working in the timber supply chain in Wales. It is particularly targeted at small sawmillers who are, or could be, part of the Woodknowledge Wales Sawmillers CoP (Community of Practice). If you wish to enquire about becoming a member of our Sawmillers CoP please contact Ceri Loxton via the ‘Apply for CoP membership’ button or consider our open course on Friday 18 October.

The course will give you a thorough understanding of features (knots, compression wood, fissures, grain angle etc) used to visually strength grade softwood. You will find it equally valuable if you are selling products to customers, thinking about becoming certified as a grader or if your certification is coming up for renewal.

The day will be a fantastic opportunity to learn from Phil O’Leary, who has taught hundreds of people how to visually strength grade timber, and exchange industry knowledge and experience with other participants.

Learners completing the course will receive a certificate of completion from Woodknowledge Wales. This course is useful for those working in the timber and allied industries.

Cost:

What to bring: Bring warm clothing. This event will be taking place primarily in a large unheated barn. Toilets are available on site but there is a walk between buildings. Bring a flask and lunch. There is a café on site where hot drinks and food can be purchased.

About your subject expert: Phil O’Leary

Phil is Director of Filros Timber Consultancy and has over 25 years of experience in the design, specification, structural grading, supply, installation, and performance in service of timber, including 20 years of experience as an expert witness. 

Previously Phil was head of Timber Consultancy at BM TRADA, the technical authority behind TRADA. With over 30 years of post-qualifying experience, Phil has published in local and international journals about wood science.

Phil is one of the UK’s leading authorities for visual strength grading and specialises in:

  • Timber quality, performance characteristics, deterioration, and preservation.
  • Condition surveys of historic buildings, performance assessments and determining the structural strength of timber in many situations.
  • Serving as an expert witness in establishing the causes of timber failures.
  • Developing and presenting highly regarded topical and bespoke training courses on a range of timber subjects.

Phil is chairman of BSI’s Wood Preservation Committee and a member of the Wood Protection Association’s Technical Committee.

Sustainable Construction Careers Fair

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6 March 2024, 11:30am – 14:30pm, Swansea Campus, IQ Building, IQ001-IQ002, Free to attend

To celebrate Women in Construction Week 3-9 March the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Construction Wales Innovation Centre, the School of Architecture, Construction and the Environment (SoACE) and Career Service invite you to join us at our Sustainable Construction and the Environment Careers Fair on 6 March.

As exhibitors at this event you will be able to meet students from the SoACE as well as construction students from further education who could possibly be your next generation of staff.

In order to make this event sustainable in another sense of the word exhibitors are asked to think about things they can offer students such as work placements, apprenticeships, job offers or any other activity that starts to build a relationship with prospective employees.

This event is free to attend and lunch and refreshments will be provided.

NRW awareness sessions : Changes to felling licences under the Forestry Act

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NRW provides information on the new powers that will come into force on 1 April 2024 relating to felling licences for Wales

During February and early March 2024, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is hosting three online awareness sessions for farmers and landowners seeking an overview of changes and revisions to felling licences in Wales.

Farmers and landowners that are considering felling trees on their land, may need to apply for a felling licence. So, before the changes come in to effect, NRW is inviting foresters and landowners to attend one of their free awareness sessions to find out more. Anyone not applying for a felling licence in Wales, but still interested in learning more you will be able to find more information on the NRW website when the powers go live on 1 April 2024. The new powers are only applicable if you are applying for a felling licence in Wales.

According to the NRW invitation, “From 1 April 2024, new powers will be coming in to effect that will allow us to add environmental conditions to felling licences, and to amend, suspend or revoke a felling licence once granted. They also allow licence holders to apply to amend their licence. These new powers will allow us to provide better protection for wildlife and the environment during felling operations.”

Discussion points will include:

  • The new powers to condition licences
  • Changes to the application form to improve the process for applicants
  • The revised web pages on the NRW website around felling licenses
  • Powers to amend (licence holder and NRW), suspend and revoke felling licences

The sessions will be hosted by representatives from NRW and there will be an opportunity to ask questions about the discussion points at the end of each session.

The awareness sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams on:

Date for awareness session Please register your interest by
20 February 10:00am5:00pm 6 February
22 February 2:00pm 5:00pm 8 February
1 March 10:00am5:00pm 16 February

Please note you will only need to attend one. 

To book a place, please email deddfcoedwigaeth@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

You will be emailed the link to join the session one week in advance – please keep an eye on your emails.

Net Zero Skills Consultation: policy response

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Woodknowledge Wales has delivered its response to the Welsh Government in support of its aim to grow a skilled workforce that will support our net zero challenge

Welsh Government Net Zero Action Plan Sector Roadmaps graphic

In October 2023, Welsh Government launched its Net Zero Sector Skills consultation [1-3]. On behalf of Woodknowledge Wales, James Moxey delivered a response ahead of the 31 December 2023 deadline. The consultation provides an opportunity to strengthen our understanding of the current skills position for each emission sector in Wales, as outlined in Net Zero Wales.

“Policies (e.g., the National Forest) to increase forest cover requires the recruitment of skilled people,” stated James in his response. “Wales needs to build at least 20,000 low-carbon, new homes. The methods that will achieve this (for new build) require a culture of off-site manufacturing (OSM) and on-site construction.  These methods will employ materials with a low-carbon footprint to build high-performing homes designed, built, and tested to use a minimum amount of energy. Welsh Government’s policy to develop a Timber Industrial Strategy will underpin both these requirements.”

Read the full Woodknowledge Wales Net Zero Skills consultation response here.

New pods to bring built environment learners good fabric performance skills

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University of Wales Trinity St David’s Construction Wales Innovation Centre welcomed delivery of two new building performance test pods designed specifically to provide hands-on learning around fabric-first building performance

On 14 December 2023, Julie Evans, Project Manager, Passivhaus Training forCarmarthenshire, announced the arrival of the new building performance test pods for the University of Wales Trinity St David’s Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC) Welsh Timber and Building Performance Development Centre in Lampeter. The pods will be used in the delivery of the Not Business as Usual, Construct Net-Zero Cymru (CNZC) project to train industry, construction students in Further and Higher Education, and other community learners.

“The building performance test pods were built specifically to provide a hands-on experience. They will help built environment students and other learners to better understand what constitutes good fabric performance which is a critically important new skill needed to create low carbon buildings.” said Gary Newman, CEO, Woodknowledge Wales

Designed and constructed in collaboration with Woodknowledge Wales, Rob Thomas, Hiraeth Architecture and Kenton Jones (Designers and Makers), the building performance pods blend teaching, research, and innovation with carefull design and construction to deliver state-of-the-art, practical learning tools.

The pods were built by technical experts to reflect Passivhaus principles and the Welsh Building Regulations. Both pods will enable students to try their hand at Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) techniques such as air tightness, U-Value measurement, thermal performance and heat loss.

A key element in the Not Business as Usual, Construct Net-Zero Cymru (CNZC) project, each pod illustrates closed panel timber frame construction and will also be a useful tool to educate a wide range of audiences in terms of low-carbon, high performance construction using timber as a sustainable building material.

The Not Business As Usual CNZC project will focus on educating learners on the importance of building fabric. It will work to improve principles and techniques applied in the design, construction, and maintenance of a variety of low-carbon construction methods.

“CWIC and its partners are working alongside partners in industry, higher and further education, schools and the third sector to create and deliver micro courses in ‘Fabric First‘ design. Sessions will be held in the UWTSD’s construction workshop using a range of tailor-made equipment and training aids to enhance these skills,” said Julie Evans, Project Manager, Passivhaus Training for Carmarthenshire, Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC)

Read CWIC’s press release: Arrival of new building performance test pods enhances practical learning

Read more about the Not Business as Usual, Construct Net-Zero Cymru (CNZC) project

Free Technical Timber Webinars 2024 from BM TRADA

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BM TRADA has announced its 2024 Timber Webinar programme,  with updated content and deep dives into strength grading, modified woods and CLT. Register now to enhance your skills and knowledge, and gain valuable insights from timber experts.

Timber Frame series

  • Right on site: Key timber frame details with Robin Lancashire, Senior Timber Frame Consultant, BM TRADA, 25 January 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Moisture management in timber frame design and construction with Robin Lancashire, Senior Timber Frame Consultant, BM TRADA, 8 February 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM GMT Registration link

This series will be repeated in the latter half of the year.

Technical Timber series

  • Strength grading with Nick Clifford, Senior Technical Consultant, BM TRADA and Dr Dan Ridley-Ellis, Edinburgh Napier University, 18 April 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM BST Registration link
  • Modified woods and panel products with Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, and Adam Moring, Timber Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 2 May 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM BST Registration link
  • Understanding wood degrading insects and microorganisms with Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 16 May 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM BST Registration link
  • Timber adhesives with Richard Nunn, Sales Director, Ureka, 6 June 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM BST. Registration link


CLT series

  • Achieving durability with CLT: Mitigating Construction Phase moisture with Nick Clifford, Senior Timber Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 4 July 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Achieving durability with CLT: Designing for durability with Nick Clifford, Senior Timber Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 18 July 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM GMT Registration link


Fundamentals of Timber series

  • From trees to timber with Ben Sharples, Technical Manager, Timber Services, and Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 7 November 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Quality and properties of timber with Nick Clifford, Senior Technical Consultant, and Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, Part One: Wood and timber properties and Part 2: Quality of timber, 14 November 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Moisture in timber with Adam Moring, Timber Technical Consultant, with Nick Clifford, Senior Technical Consultant, 28 November 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Protecting timber with Adam Moring, Timber Technical Consultant, and Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 5 December 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM GMT Registration link

For further publications on timber, industry information, and regular updates on training opportunities from BM TRADA, please register with the bookshop and subscribe to the enewsletter.

Making Wood Work for Wales

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Wales Climate Week zoom session, 11:15-12:15, 6 December

REGISTER NOW

A thriving timber industry offers economic, environmental and social benefits to Wales. Opportunities exist all along the supply chain, from nurseries through forest management, harvesting, restocking, sawmilling, right through to the end-use of timber, for example in construction or furniture.

Join session chair, Huwel Manley, operations manager for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as he hosts a remote panel discussion focused around how to make wood work for Wales. Panel members will include Woodknowledge Wales’ CEO, Gary Newman, Elaine Harrison, National Manager Wales at Confor: Confederation of Forest Industries (UK) and Steve Cranston, Project Lead for Welsh Government’s Delivering Net Zero.

This Wales Climate Week session will open by showcasing companies in Wales who use timber and who have chosen to put fairness at the heart of their operating models. The panel members will then discuss the actions needed to promote a healthy, growing timber industry in Wales.

  • How can the use of timber accelerate decarbonisation of the natural and built environments?
  • How can we deliver low-carbon housing in Wales through the use of Welsh grown timber? 
  • How can we encourage inclusive recruitment and retention in an industry with a huge range of jobs, skills and careers on offer?

Want to know more about the Welsh timber industry, carbon sequestration within timber products, timber training and careers?

This session will be of interest to anyone who:

  • would like to know more about the environmental, economic and social benefits offered by the Welsh timber industry.
  • are interested in reducing embodied carbon in construction, in taking a whole life-cycle approach which recognises carbon sequestration within timber products. 
  • are keen to learn about the breadth of different training, jobs and career paths across Wales and to explore inclusive approaches to employment.

Speakers

  • Elaine Harrison. National Manager for Wales. Confor (Confederation of Forest Industries).
  • Gary Newman. Chief Executive. Woodknowledge Wales.
  • Steve Cranston. Project Lead – Delivering Net Zero.
  • Huwel Manley. Head of Operations South West Wales. Natural Resources Wales.

Full speakers bios can be found at the Wales Climate Week Virtual Conference Programme

Format of the session

11:15-11:20Introduction
11:20-11:30Watch newly filmed case study videos from:
– timber contractors: Williams Homes,
– timber frame manufacturers: SO Modular, and
– award winning social enterprise: Down to Earth
11:30 – 11:55Q&A open panel discussion
12:10-12:15Sum up and close

Register now at Wales Climate Week (gov.wales) where you can also view the rest of the virtual conference agenda and other available resources.

REGISTER NOW

CoP update: Joiners Community of Practice

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Newly launched CoP to focus on market differentiation, skills and how to make the joinery sector more engaging

Our new joiners Community of Practice (CoP) launched mid-November with a mix of different sized businesses participating. 

Those present expressed interest in being part of the Community so they might hear from others, discuss individual challenges, and learn about how to leverage opportunities. A number of topics for further discussion came up during this initial meeting. These included the challenges associated with market competition driven by imports from Europe and market differentiation. CoP members also want to discuss how they can support one another and their industry. In particular, they wish to look for opportunity around skills and recruitment, and how to attract and engage newcomers into the joinery sector.

Joinery businesses interested in discussing opportunities and challenges of skills and recruitment are encouraged to join the next meeting on 30th November, 9-10am via Zoom.  On the agenda:

  • Challenge: What is your biggest challenge – recruitment overall or lack of skilled people?
  • Recruitment: Are you or have you been experiencing any recruitment challenges? Is / was this impacting on your business? If so, how? Have you developed a process to mitigate this? If so, what does it look like?
  • Skills: Do you need to train new employees? Do you have a training programme for all staff? Do you have any working relationship with local colleges/universities?
  • Potential: If you had complete power, what would your top three actions be to turn this challenge into an opportunity?

Results of the discussion will inform a report on skills across all sectors of the wood value chain as part of the Home Grown Homes Project. 

If you are unable to attend but would like to share your views and experience with us, please contact christiane.lellig@woodknowledgewales.co.uk.

Wales launches Net Zero Skills consultation

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Sector consultation

Welsh Government's Net Zero Sector Skills Action Plan graphic

Welsh Government has launched its Net Zero Sector Skills consultation [1-3]. The consultation provides an opportunity to strengthen our understanding of the current skills position for each emission sector in Wales, as outlined in Net Zero Wales.

“As the timber construction industry is a key opportunity for future zero carbon Wales, it is very important that Woodknowledge Wales members contribute to this consultation. For those who wish to input into the Woodknowledge Wales response, please contact James.” Gary Newman, CEO, Woodknowledge Wales

The window for responses will cover a three month period where all stakeholders with an interest in contributing and shaping the skills needed to support our net zero journey are asked to respond.

The consultation will end on 31st December 2023.

“Skills will be a key enabler as we transition to a net zero economy. Everyone needs to take responsibility and play their part in taking action to improve practices, investing in people and communities to innovate and build a more resilient economy. This is just the start of this process and Government cannot tackle the challenge alone. A Team Wales approach is the only way we can drive forward these changes and meet our net zero commitments.” Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Economy [1]

Net Zero Skills Sector Consultation Annex 2: Roadmap [3]

The Net Zero Skills Action Plan (‘the Plan’) [4] was launched in February 2023. The plan sets out this Government’s commitment to support our just transition to net zero through a more co-ordinated approach. It prioritises 7 key areas and contains 36 actions, recognising the importance of skills in supporting our net zero challenges by equipping our current and future workforce with the right options and opportunities. 

Achieving a just transition to net zero is essential; we must leave no-one behind as we move to a greener, fairer future. Source: Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales: Net Zero Skills Action Plan [4]
Net Zero Skills Action Plan from Addysg Cymru / Education Wales

In the development of the Plan, research and evidence was commissioned to inform the plan’s actions, this included the evidence from the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP). Their Net Zero skills: Insights and evidence from emission sectors in Wales Report [5] set out the current net zero skills position across Wales, the future skills needs, and gaps to meet the changing demands on the workforce for the transition to net zero.

Continued implementation of the action plan is scheduled throughout 2023 with targeted support for employers, an awareness raising campaign and Ministerial events. The Welsh Government will maintain strong links with industry and stakeholders throughout this phase to ensure all inputs are harnessed to help shape skills needs and the future offer.

A report on the outcomes of the consultation will be published in 2024. Development and publication of sector-specific roadmaps and implementation will continue throughout next year.

References

1: OPEN CONSULTATION: Net zero sector skills, Consultation description, www.gov.wales, 11 October 2023, [Accessed October 2023]
2: OPEN CONSULTATION, DOCUMENT. Net zero sector skills, www.gov.wales, 11 October 2023, [Accessed October 2023]
3: Net Zero Action Plan Sector Annex A: Roadmap, www.gov.wales, 11 October 2023, [Accessed October 2023]
4: Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales: Net Zero Skills Action Plan, 28 February 2023, Policy and Strategy, Welsh Government, www.gov.wales [Accessed October 2023]
5: Net Zero skills: Insights and evidence from emission sectors in Wales Report, 28 February 2023, Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP), www.wcpp.org.uk [Accessed October 2023]