Registrations for Timber Systems Design Short Course now open

It seems like many moons ago that FTMA helped coordinate fabricators and nail plate representatives to join forces with the Office of the Victoria Skills Commissioner to create a short course for Timber Systems Designers.

For well over a decade this industry has been saying we need to improve the training of our designers which takes them back to basics and helps create a career pathway into our industry.

At this stage, the training is only available in Victoria, however, the Victorian Skills Commissioner has assured us that once delivered in Victoria, we can then ask the other states to write to them and they will allow them to use the training package.

Short Course Units

CPCCM2001 Read and interpret plans and specifications.
CPCCM1015 Carry out measurements and calculations.
FWPCOR2202 Communicate and interact effectively in the workplace.
FWPCOR220r Follow WHS policy and procedures.
FWPCOT3214 Take off material quantities.
VU22790 Work effectively as a timber systems designer.
VU2291 Develop sketches and drawings for costing timber floor, wall frame and roof systems.

Duration/ Location

16 Days of training delivered as 3x 5-day blocks and a final day with work placement between blocks. This course will be conducted regionally according to industry demand.

Group Size

10- 12 participants

Delivery Mode

Class based with practical exercises and building site visits.

Course Description

Participants completing this course will have a level of understanding of domestic house construction of class 1A to enable them to design and calculate quantities of timber members and components required to frame the building from floor systems, wall frames and roof members along with other ancillary items. With this knowledge they will be able to assist and perform estimates for timber floor, frame and roof prefabricators (Frame & Truss Plants).

Job Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit learners may find employment as timber systems designers.

Course Content

The feedback was always that the senior designers were spending too much of their time teaching the trainees and we believe that this method of training will upskill the trainees faster ensuring they can continue to learn on the job in between blocks whilst building their new skills and knowledge.

Block	Duration	Content
Block One	5 days classroom based followed by 5 days’ work placement	Industry introduction, timber systems design job roles, features, and benefits of timber as a construction material, timber specifications, types of design tools.
Block Two	5 days classroom based followed by 5 days’ work placement	Documentation and information required for design, reading plans, sourcing and interpreting standards and codes, NCC requirements, installation requirements for roof trusses, roof design specifics, frame design specifics, floor design requirements, calculating load requirements, work effectively assessment exercises and case studies. Designer communication systems and techniques, Working Safely in Timber Systems Design, Identifying and reporting hazards.
Block 3	5 days classroom based followed by 8 weeks work placement	Carry out measurements and calculations, construction site visit, conduct take-offs develop sketches and drawings for costing, build systems, work with design systems to produce sketches and drawings.
Block 4	1 Day	Review submitted assignment and job work confirm requirements met and next steps.

Assessment

Will be by demonstration of skills, completing workbooks, case studies and answering related questions.

Cost

Tuition is $600 GST Free for each delegate (thanks to subsidised training by Skills Victoria)

Concession (if eligible) is $120.

Expression of Interest to Register to participate in Short Course in TSD

The inaugural training course for the Short Course in Timber Systems Designer will be held in Geelong at a location to be confirmed.

We are seeking expressions of interest from Victorian plants to register trainees for the training course.

There are two dates to choose from as commencement dates for the training which are dependent on finding a trainer as outlined in the FTMA News Article – Trainers Needed.

The commencement dates you can register for are,