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 this month.

With the UK construction industry facing
serious skills shortages, the current generations of students are the focus of
a lot 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 10
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 Boulton, said:

“It was important for the TRA to partner
with 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.�

The TRA has a wealth of careers and
health and safety information available. Many of its technical documents are free to download.

www.tra.org.uk