IN an effort to support skills training and development in the timber construction industry, the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), SAQA-accredited professional body and watchdog for the timber building industry, recently launched its Online Certification Programme.
Designed to offer study materials and tests to improve skills in the timber roofing sector, the programme was initiated to support any individuals looking to establish and build a career in the roofing sector as well as roofing professionals who want to enhance and update their current knowledge base.
According to Amanda Obbes, ITC-SA National Coordinator, “Timber engineered structures are highly specialised and there are very few skills development and training programmes available that support the profession. As such, the ITC-SA continues to drive the development and offering of training programmes within the timber roof truss industry to ensure upliftment of skills in the sector and to encourage young engineers to take an interest in timber as a viable construction material. This forms part of our mandate, as a professional body, to ensure continuous professional development in the industry”.
“The motivation for establishing the programme was to offer affordable entry-level skills training at the user’s convenience and for industry role players, like local authority building inspectors, NHBRC inspectors and all interested parties, the option to enhance their knowledge of timber roof structures,” she added.
Course content
The online course conforms to the ‘deemed to satisfy’ requirements of SANS 10243 for the manufacture and erection of timber trusses. However, when circumstances require, these details may be overridden by the competent person, being the designer or engineer.
In the event that the roof truss manufacturer does not provide adequate information regarding truss erection, the details shown in the handbook will enable the erector to comply with the requirements set out in SANS 10243 with confidence.
The course covers the basics of roof erection, including: Tools of the trade; basic connections; hip, valley, crank and geyser details; bracing systems and checklists.
“It is not necessary to be a member of the Institute to participate in the programme; the purpose of this initiative is to offer much-needed education and training on the subject of timber roofing and it made sense for us to extend access to this programme to both industry professionals and untrained individuals who are interested in making their way in this sector,” said Obbes.
Not all courses will include official certification, but a certificate of completion will be issued upon successful completion.
To register for the ITC-SA’s Roofing Specialist Level 1 Course, visit http://portal.itc-sa.org and follow the prompts. For more information, email enquiries@itc-sa.org or visit www.itc-sa.org.