Representatives of David Wilson Homes and Taylor Woodrow were among around 40 delegates who attended the first session in a unique new training partnership between Trus Joist and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). ‘Frameworks Solution’ tackles the deep need of the housebuilding industry to address site health and safety issues, and makes ‘Doing It Right Safely’ its central theme.
The initiative provides housebuilders with up-to-date practical and theoretical training to help drive cost leaks out of the build process while always making site safety the top priority. ‘Frameworks Solution’ deals with the important issue of building industry skills shortages, and helps to reduce call-backs.
Set to run over the next 12 months, Trus Joist’s series of courses includes a highly practical element. The CITB has offered the use of a former aircraft hangar and a full-scale house has been built up to first floor level in which Trus Joist’s Silent Floor System has been installed. The system’s TJI joists have been left uncovered. A large section of the house features a ‘wrong room’ in which there are demonstrations of typical mistakes made during installation and photographs of incorrect site practice.
Installation area
Near the house a series of brick and block platforms have been built on which delegates install the Silent Floor System correctly. However, the course is not only concerned with simple framing; it takes a full system approach by including useful elements on decking. To assist in this, Puhos Board (UK) Ltd provides hands-on training in the safe and correct use of its Weather Dek 2 deck board flooring system.
“Trus Joist is grateful to the CITB for its support and co-operation in making this unique training partnership work,” said James Sweet, Trus Joist’s UK manager. “The CITB is effectively helping Trus Joist in its commitment to housebuilders.
“We have now run two courses very successfully with over 70% of delegates being from national housebuilders. ‘Frameworks Solution’ is targeted not only at experienced tradesmen but also at those undertaking apprenticeships. It is designed for site managers, construction managers, sub-contractors, assurance bodies and apprentices. At the end of the course all delegates receive a trade training card. For stockists of the Silent Floor System the initiative also provides invaluable input on design issues. It is fair to say that while individual delegates will benefit from the courses, the real winner will be the housebuilder’s bottom line.”
The combination of the CITB’s strong reputation within the building industry and this practical approach to installation training should result in high attendance for the remaining courses this year. The dates are July 8, September 23 and November 18.
All courses are residential, free of charge, fully CITB certified and held at the CITB’s National Construction College at King’s Lynn. Places are strictly limited. For details call 0121 445 6666.
