TRADA Technology has appointed Dr Andy Pitman to the new role of TRADA universities engagement manager.

His appointment is part of the help that the organisation will offer to teaching staff at the 200-plus universities delivering architecture, design and engineering courses in the UK, by way of teaching materials available through the internet and specialist lectures.

TRADA chief executive Andrew Abbott said the new post was designed to ensure that “today’s construction students become tomorrow’s timber specifiers”.

“In addition, TRADA will work with a select number of universities and regional TRADA members to develop research projects relating to the use of wood. Our recent universities’ survey showed there to be a real appetite for construction in natural materials and the time is right for TRADA to fill this gap,” said Mr Abbott.

TRADA’s involvement with the Knowledge Transfer Network on Renewable Materials tied in with the new appointment, he added.

Dr Pitman will continue as TRADA Technology technical manager alongside his new role.