Raising timber standards with the right training

With the change in political leadership, the new Prime Minister inherits a sizable and complex challenge of increasing housing delivery.  

Andy Burnham outlines his ambition for "the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period", timber frame builds – which comprise around 90% of new homes in Scotland – offer one potential method of delivery. 

Media interest in this efficient construction method has boomed, leading to speculation about “five-day timber homes”.

But although, despite the hyperbole, there’s no doubting that timber frame installation can offer significantly quicker builds, it’s nevertheless critical that the process isn’t rushed.

Quality, as ever, must be the priority.

Getting it right matters

With the right workmanship and proper care taken, a timber frame home can be just as sturdy and comfortable as a traditional masonry build – and offer attractive energy-reducing properties for both developer and resident alike, too.

Yet even with the best materials and the perfect site conditions, poor-quality installation can render all those benefits moot and lead to major long-term issues.

Because timber-framed homes absorb moisture more readily than brick or stone, for example, a suboptimal installation process can cause damp, mould and rot problems that may go unnoticed until it’s too late.

One might assume that any experienced builder would be able to spot these signs and take the right steps to reduce such risks.

But because this is an entirely different method of construction, it’s critical that the installation is completed by someone who is skilled, trained and experienced with timber frames.

More hands needed

Of course, avoiding mistakes is a priority for everyone involved, from subcontractors and tradespeople to investors and new home buyers.

Poor installation means delays, reduced profits or even significant long-term losses, after all.

Trouble is, it’s not as easy as hiring more timber frame experts.

The skills shortage that plagues the construction industry means there simply aren’t enough of them out there – and that’s before either an uptick in delivery or the expected increases in timber frame developments widen the gap further.

Overcoming this hurdle requires far more than hurriedly converting existing workers with inadequate training or hoping new career entrants will learn on the job.

Should a glut of underqualified labour enter the workforce, the pace of construction could increase – but this would only be a false economy that creates far more long-term harm than short-term gains.

What we need instead are proper, structured training pathways that prepare the next generation of timber frame installers thoroughly.

Purpose-built solutions

Apprenticeships are one such route. And that’s nothing new.

But at NHBC, we’ve worked hard with leading experts from the Structural Timber Association to develop a different kind of apprenticeship; one that’s designed specifically for this growing approach to tackling the housing crisis.

The resulting Level 2 Construction assembly and installation operative - Timber Frame route apprenticeship takes advantage of our purpose-built training hubs, where industry entrants spend their first fortnight intensively learning crucial skills before getting ready to go out on site.

Critically, they then return to the hubs regularly over the next 14 months, ensuring they keep developing their knowledge of health and safety, hand and power tools, structure assembly and frame connections, plans, drawings and more.

It’s a programme that’s tailormade for timber and prepares learners quickly without rushing or generalising – meaning employers enjoy easier access to talent that’s familiar with site life, instilled with quality from day one and trained by real-world experts.

Obviously this apprenticeship isn’t a magic bullet that will solve the UK’s timber frame skills gap overnight.

But it’s a positive step we’re proud to have taken, and just another on our ceaseless mission to attract, grow and retain the next generation of brilliant home builders.