Erector Training

Timber Frame Erector Training & Accreditation Scheme

Introduction

The UK Timber Frame Association has developed an Open Learning Training and Accreditation Scheme for Timber Frame Erectors that leads to a full UKTFA/City & Guilds Accreditation that is recognised by all the leading Manufacturers in the industry. The industry believes strongly in this programme and has recently signed a pledge supporting their commitment to the milestones set by the industry. The first of these milestones is that all Members will work towards having 70% of all Site Erectors employed directly or indirectly to hold a joint UKTFA/City & Guilds Approved Certificate at the Bronze Standard or greater. The second of these milestones is that 100% of all Site Erectors employed directly or indirectly will achieve the award by December 2010.

The Training Programme

The UKTFA/City & Guilds Approved Certification Scheme is available at 3 levels:

Bronze - developed as an Induction Programme for those new to the industry.

Silver - represents the vast majority of Erectors and covers all the essential elements of erecting buildings.

Gold - includes Site Supervisory skills and multi-level complex buildings

Each of the levels is supported by 3 Workbooks contained on CD covering:

Health & Safety

Knowledge Skills

Practical Skills

When Erectors have completed one of the above Levels they will be assessed by Recognised & Registered Industry Assessors who will authorise the award of UKTFA/City & Guilds Accredited Certification. This is the nationally recognised qualification for Timber Frame Erectors across the UK.

Training & Accreditation of Scheme

Provides recognition of the skills and competencies of existing Timber Frame Erectors.
Will raise the skill levels of any unskilled or untrained Timber Frame Erector to a recognised level of competence.
Provides a career path for Timber Frame Erectors.
Provides a route for young entrants to develop within the Timber Frame industry.
Establishes a route for unemployed craftsmen to transfer their skills to the Timber Frame construction sector.
Provides a route for those in declining industries, who might wish to transfer the expanding Timber Frame construction sector.

Application & Registration

The UKTFA will assist the industry achieve their milestones by providing a cost effective price for both employees of Member companies and sub-contractors. Programme fees are detailed below:

Erectors Employed by Members

Erectors who are employed by a Member of the Association will pay a fee of £39.50. This cost includes the Registration fee, the training Workbooks on CD at the Level requested and Certification on successful completion of their assessment. These fees are tax deductable.

Erectors – Sub Contractors

Sub-contractors will also pay £39.50 for the Registration and the CD as above.

Erectors employed by Members and sub-contractors will also receive:

A CD containing all 3 Workbooks relevant to his/her level of entry.
Registration of the candidate including the provision of a personal identification number.
Allocation of an Assessor to provide assessment from the nominating UKTFA Member*.
Technical and mentoring support by the assessor as required.
Assessment to the required standards at the relevant level Bronze, Silver or Gold against the 3 key areas of competence, namely Health & Safety, Practical Skills and Knowledge Skills.
Administrative support by telephone and e-mail.
Formal notification of results from UKTFA.
Site Erectors Approved UKTFA/City & Guilds “Site Mark” Card.
Accredited Certificate of Qualification.
In the event of any concerns, access to the appeals procedure and similar systems.

Expiry & Re-registration

On successful completion of the training programme a UKTFA/City & Guilds Approved Site Erectors “Site Mark” Card and Accreditation Certificate will be issued that is valid for 3 years. The Approved “Site Mark” card is a plastic laminated credit size card suitable for site use requiring 2 passport sized photographs.

To ensure standards are maintained your accreditation is valid for 3 years after which re-registration is required. This will require a nominal fee and is subject to up to date passport photographs and the review of a completed questionnaire, updating experience and contact details.

Candidates can also migrate from one level to the next as their skills develop – this requires a new Application.

The Future

Only those Erectors who are qualified on the UKTFA/City & Guilds accredited scheme to erect Timber Frame buildings will be used by UKTFA Manufacture members. If you are not then you will not be employed as an Erector. You need to start planning your future with this in mind and take pride in the fact that your skills will be recognized by the world’s most respected and well known Authority for Skills Qualifications of this type, the City & Guilds. Furthermore a career path and development route now opens up for those who wish to progress within the industry.

If you are interested in registering download form here or would like further information on the Erectors Accreditation Scheme please contact Ray Curran, Education & Training Manager ray@timber-frame.org or alternatively you can call the UKTFA Training Section on 01259 272125.