Timber Truss & Frame Estimating & Design Project
Menu: Click across the green arrows to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.Case for change
Housing is the primary area in which timber trusses and frames are used. Given the continued increase in housing and multi-development construction activity these structural components are in increasing demand.
These are integral roles in the day-to-day operation of a building project, and yet much of the work to estimate and design timber trusses and frames is commissioned overseas. These roles could be performed more efficiently and with better communication if performed locally. However, improved career pathways are required to make them appealing. This could be supported by reviewing and streamlining the current qualifications and units to make prerequisites and assessments less restrictive.
The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) approved this project out of the Forest and Wood Products Industry Sector IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2018-2021 (see pages 71-74).
Skills Impact and the Forest and Wood Products Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.
Download Project Proposal (see pages 71-74)
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Forestry & Timber’ as your industry of interest. |
Project Plan
Timber trusses and frames are an essential part of many modern homes and other buildings, providing the skeleton for walls and roofs. They’re designed to hold up the weight of a building, including any solar, air conditioning or hot water units, and to withstand weather, including strong winds. For this reason, timber systems designers play a crucial role in making sure a building is structurally sound, requiring knowledge of engineering, design and timber types. They’re responsible for making sure building codes and standards are adhered to and communication between the factory floor and construction businesses are fit for purpose.
The demand for timber roof trusses and wall frames is projected to grow in Australia over the next five years due to continued increase in housing construction (Australian Construction Insights). However, there is also a continued shortage of timber systems designers in Australia, with a lot of current work commissioned overseas. While this is one solution to a skill shortage there are advantages to employing local designers and estimators. When it comes to making sure codes are being met and communication is running smoothly, nothing compares to having eyes in the factory floor and on the building site.
Industry have indicated that the current qualifications and units of competency in timber truss and frame design do not meet current job titles, roles and practices. The entry level Certificate II contains assessments that are not permitted to be used by school-based trainees, restricting uptake, while the structure of the current Certificate IV presents a barrier in its high number of prerequisites. A restructuring of the qualifications will support strengthening career pathways and attracting new workers to this profession.
Project Scope
This project will review three qualifications and 39 units of competency relating to timber truss and frame design and manufacture. It will also develop at least two skill sets to support career pathways.
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Forestry & Timber’ as your industry of interest. |
Relevant Occupations
- Timber Systems Designers
- Designer (Timber Truss and Frame)
- Production Fabricator (Timber Truss and Frame)
FWPSSXXXXX Skill set for truss and frame estimating and design operations (new)
Project Team
| Georgiana Daian | Head of Skills Standards Development, ForestWorks [email protected] |
| Michelle Clayton | Industry Skills Standards Specialist, ForestWorks [email protected] |
| Rob Stowell | Industry Skills Standards Contractor |
Project Timeline
July – August 2019
Initial Scoping
August – December 2019
Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units
January – February 2020
Drafts available for broad consultation
March 2020
Validation of final drafts
April 2020
Finalisation of Training package components
June 2020
Submission for endorsement
Opportunities for stakeholder input
Stakeholder input and feedback is appreciated and welcomed throughout the duration of this project. Stakeholder contribution is essential so that the units and qualifications reflect real work experience, addressing the training meets the needs and requirements of the industry.
Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available in January-February 2019, and again for validation of final drafts in March 2020. However, your feedback is welcomed at any time, and will help us in drafting the units.
If you work in the sector, your input and help would be appreciated. Please feel free to register your interest for project updates and consultation opportunities by following the newsletter subscription link below. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the project manager, Michelle Clayton on 03 9321 3500 or [email protected]
Technical Advisory Committee
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be established to provide technical input on the review and development of units and qualifications. The TAC may include technical industry experts, industry associations, employee associations, regulators and training providers. The support that the project needs from the TAC includes:
- Provide input with respect to the project on areas of industry skill development requirements, job roles and key tasks and activities
- Provide technical expertise that will inform the content of units of competency
- Review and provide feedback to the draft materials
- Provide input to clarify potential differing views on industry requirements
- Share project materials with other experts for their input.
If you are interested and able to volunteer your time to this project, please contact [email protected]
Development
Most modern homes and a range of other buildings rely on timber trusses and frames as an essential element of the building structure. The demand for timber systems designers is projected to grow over the next five years due to continued increase in housing construction (Australian Construction Insights). However, there is a shortage of timber systems designers in Australia. Industry have indicated that the current qualifications and units of competency in timber truss and frame design do not meet current job titles, roles and practices.
Consultation is underway to review and update three national qualifications, to better reflect job roles in the area of timber frame and truss design and manufacture, as identified in the 2018-19 IRC Skills Forecast. These qualifications are:
- FWP20716 Certificate II in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture
- FWP30916 Certificate III in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture
- FWP40416 Certificate IV in Timber Truss and Frame Design
While the manufacturing job roles were not a priority area in the 2018-2019 Skills Forecast, they also need to be reviewed as part of this project because of the current configuration of the qualifications.
Next steps
The draft units of competency and qualifications will be made available on this webpage for broad stakeholder consultation and feedback from February 2020 (under the ‘Drafts Available’ menu above).
Thank you to those stakeholders that have been involved and provided feedback and advice so far.
The project will work with industry stakeholders over the next two months to configure the structure of the nationally recognised qualifications based on the feedback below.
Please feel free to register your interest for consultation opportunities by contacting Dr Georgiana Daian at [email protected]. Please also follow projects updates by following the newsletter subscription link at the bottom of this page.
Consultation and development activities so far
The project team has undertaken a range of site visits in Melbourne and Brisbane during August and September 2019 to gather information about the job roles in frame and truss plants. Key findings are outlined under the headings below.
The frame and truss industry consists of approximately 280 frame and truss manufacturing businesses and three large industry suppliers. Most businesses are small and medium-sized, with a few large businesses. The manufacturing plants are based and operate in areas with a high concentration of residential construction activity predominantly in NSW, VIC and QLD.
The suppliers produce and sell frame and truss equipment, connectors, ancillary products and design software to frame and truss manufacturers. Manufacturing businesses use the supplier software to design, estimate and detail costs of, and assemble and deliver frames and trusses for customers.
Job roles in Timber Systems Design
The industry faces a long-lasting shortage of truss and frame designers. In this job role, people produce accurate estimates and designs from architectural plans using design software.
The skill shortage led to a growth in offshore outsourcing services. However, the practice has proven not suitable for most small and medium-sized manufacturers, where the job is required to produce designs for custom output as opposed to volume output. The expertise needs to be local and in-house to handle orders, communicate and develop relationships, and work within timeframes for customers.
Job Roles in Manufacturing
Generally, there is low uptake and recognition of formal qualifications for the manufacturing job roles in the industry:
- Training is done informally and in house.
- Recruitment usually occurs on attitudinal skills rather than qualifications.
- In most workplaces, the manufacturing jobs are limited to an area of truss and frame manufacture (such as a. frame, b. roof truss or c. floor truss) and a part of the manufacturing process (such as a. cut timber, b. assemble frames/roof trusses/floor trusses and c. bind/store the product), not the end-to-end process.
Workshop
Following the site visits, the project Technical Advisory Committee recently conducted a one-day face-to-face workshop in Melbourne to develop proposed pathways for both design and manufacture. These are currently being finalised by the Technical Advisory Committee.
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Forestry & Timber’ as your industry of interest. |
Drafts Available
The timber truss and frame industry is critically important to Australia’s economy and its people, as a high proportion of modern homes and buildings require its products. This project aims to support the development of technical skills that are needed by employees to design and manufacture timber frames and trusses.
Industry experts have been consulted to review the job roles of people working in this industry and draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency that are consistent with the workplace requirements to design and manufacture timber frames and trusses.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft units, skill sets, and qualifications that were made available on this webpage for feedback from 12 February – 17 March 2020.
During this time, feedback was collected via the online feedback hub, email, and a consultation webinar. The drafts, including any comments made on the feedback hub, are still available for viewing below.
Feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which are expected to be available for industry validation in March 2020. A summary of the feedback and how it was addressed in the final drafts will also be available.
The drafts published at this stage included:
- Three draft qualifications that were developed, corresponding to each job role within the timber frame and truss industry – timber systems estimators, timber systems detailers, timber systems fabricators.
- Five new skill sets that were developed to provide for the technical skills required to perform at each workstation within the fabrication process.
- Twenty-five units of competency that were revised and improved to meet current task requirements, resulting in a total of 20 draft units.
- A new unit has that was developed for timber system designers to develop and apply knowledge of processes of timber systems design and work effectively with a broad range of individuals and teams.
- Four current qualifications that were proposed for deletion.
To read about the changes that were been applied to these documents at this stage, please download the Summary of Changes Document linked below.
Download Summary of Changes Document document
Additional Units
Sixteen units were initially included on the project scope that were determined not relevant for the timber truss and frame qualifications under review. They relate to job tasks in the broader timber manufactured products and sawmilling and processing industry sectors and are listed as core units in multiple qualifications that are not a part of this project.
Seven of these units were revised and made available for feedback from 6 April 2020 to 1 May 2020. Feedback was collected via the feedback hub, email, and a consultation webinar. The drafts, including any comments made on the feedback hub, are still available for viewing below.
Nine of these units have been deferred, to be reviewed as part of projects in the future. These are also listed below.
Two draft qualifications were developed to replace the current Certificate III in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture by separating and streamlining the learning outcomes of the two distinct jobs that are designers (estimators) and fabricators.
In addition, the current Certificate IV in Timber Truss and Frame Design was updated to reflect the job role requirements of senior designers (detailers). The changes include a new title to reflect the current job role terminology in the industry, an improved structure and list of units that are relevant to the job requirements.
| Qualification | Description | Link to feedback |
| FWP3XXXX Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacturing | This qualification reflects the job role requirements of fabricators in the timber truss and frame industry. It describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate and work in teams in a fabrication workplace and safely use specialist equipment to cut timber and assemble wall frames and/or floor or roof trusses. | View draft qualification |
| FWP3XXXX Certificate III in Timber Systems Design | This qualification reflects the skills and knowledge requirements of people who work in timber systems designer roles in the timber truss and frame industry. It describes the skills and knowledge required to create drawings, produce estimates of material quantities and costs for timber frames or trusses from architectural plans and drawings, and communicate effectively with customers and colleagues. | View draft qualification |
| FWP4XXXX Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design | This qualification reflects the job role requirements of people who work as timber systems designers in the timber truss and frame industry. It describes the skills and knowledge required to read architectural plans to calculate material quantities and costs, and produce building code compliant timber system wall and/or truss fabrication plans and documents. | View draft qualification |
Want to download copies of the drafts? They can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
Views were sought on four qualifications that are proposed for deletion due to:
- Insufficient demand for training in these in the past and possibly in the future, based on the statistics available and feedback received during initial consultations.
- Industry feedback suggesting that the skills of the Leading Hand job roles, to meet workplace responsibilities, could be served adequately by the FWP40216 Certificate IV in Timber Processing. Also, the management and business skills of people in the decision-making roles could be achieved through other relevant qualifications from the vocational education and training system, while the technical skills could be gained through the proposed FWP4XXXXX Certificate IV Timber Truss and Frame Design and the FWP40216 Certificate IV in Timber Processing.
| FWP20716 Certificate II in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture | View qualification on training.gov.au |
| FWP40316 Certificate IV in Timber Truss and Frame Manufacture | View qualification on training.gov.au |
| FWP50216 Diploma of Timber Truss and Frame Manufacture | View qualification on training.gov.au |
| FWP50316 Diploma of Timber Truss and Frame Design | View qualification on training.gov.au |
Five new skill sets were developed to support fabricators who wish to develop technical skills related to a job function as opposed to a complete end-to-end manufacturing process. Each skill set is a subset of, and will provide credits toward, the proposed Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacturing.
| FWPSS000XX Cutting Timber to Length and Angle Skill Set | View draft skill set |
| FWPSS000XX Timber Wall Frame Manufacture Skill Set | View draft skill set |
| FWPSS000XX Timber Roof Truss Manufacture Skill Set | View draft skill set |
| FWPSS000XX Timber Floor Truss Manufacture Skill Set | View draft skill set and provide feedback |
| FWPSS000XX Stacking and Storing Timber Frames and Trusses Skill Set | View draft skill set |
Want to download copies of the drafts? They can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
Twenty-five units of competency were revised, resulting in twenty units that were available for feedback. A number of units were re-titled to reflect the required skills and knowledge accurately. All units were reviewed and rewritten for clarity, sequencing and to reflect the Standards for Training Packages 2012. Eight units were merged into four units following feedback from experts in the industry. Content from FWPCOT3243 Operate a truss press was incorporated into two units (assemble timber roof trusses and assemble timber floor trusses).
To read about the changes that were applied to these units, please download the Summary of Changes Document linked below.
Download Summary of Changes Document document
| FWPCOR2XXX Communicate and interact effectively in the workplace | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Stack and bind material | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Use hand-held tools | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Store materials | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Assess timber for manufacturing potential | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Take off material quantities | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXXX Interpret and quote from manufactured timber product plans | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Create drawings using computer aided design systems | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT4XXX Design timber structures | View draft unit |
| FWPTMM4XXX Interpret details of timber floor systems to inform design of plans and production documents | View draft unit |
| FWPTMM4XXX Interpret details of timber roof trusses to inform design of plans and production documents | View draft unit |
| FWPTMM4XXX Interpret details of timber wall frames to inform design of plans and production documents | View draft unit |
| FWPTMM2XXX Cut material to length and angles | View draft unit |
| FWPCOR3XXX Conduct quality and product care procedures | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Dock material to length | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Prepare sketches and drawings | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Assemble timber wall frames | View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Assemble timber roof trusses | View draft unit |
| FWPTMM3XXX Read and interpret timber truss or wall frame fabrication plans | View draft unit |
| FWPTMM3XXX Assemble timber floor trusses | View draft unit |
Want to download copies of the drafts? They can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
One new unit of competency was developed to provide designers who work in the timber frame and truss industry the skills and knowledge required to work effectively with a broad range of individuals and teams, and to develop a sound understanding of the processes of timber systems design.
| FWPXXXXXX Work effectively in the timber systems design industry | View draft unit |
Want to download a copy of the draft? It can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group.
| Unit Name | Proposed Changes | Link to Feedback Hub |
| FWPCOT2XXX Tally material | Minor changes
| View draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Process orders and dispatch products | Minor changes
Major changes
| View draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Cut materials to shape using a saw
| Minor changes
Major changes
| View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Monitor stock control procedures | Minor changes
Major changes
| View draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Build and maintain timber stacks | Minor changes
| View draft unit |
| FWPSAW2XXX Assemble materials using nail plates | Minor changes
| View draft unit |
| FWPTMM4XXX Calculate production costs | Minor changes
Major changes
| View draft unit |
| FWPCOR4203 Monitor quality and product care procedures |
| FWPCOR3204 Visually assess materials |
| FWPCOR4201 Monitor safety, health and environment policies and procedures |
| FWPCOR2207 Maintain quality and product care |
| FWPCOR2201 Work effectively in the forest and forest products industry |
| FWPCOR2202 Communicate and interact effectively in the workplace |
| FWPCOR2203 Follow environmental care procedures |
| FWPCOR3202 Conduct quality and product care procedures |
| FWPCOT3263 Maintain and contribute to energy efficiency |
Summary of consultation to date
The draft qualifications, skills sets and units have been prepared in consultation with industry experts and a Technical Advisory Committee. Consultation involved a range of site visits in Melbourne and Brisbane during August and September 2019 to gather information about the job roles in frame and truss plants. It also involved a one-day face-to-face workshop in Melbourne with Technical Advisory Committee. Key findings from the site visits are outlined under the ‘Development’ stage linked above.
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Forestry & Timber’ as your industry of interest. |
Validation
Timber trusses and frames are used to build the majority of Australian homes and many other buildings, and as such are integral to the Australian economy and its people. Industry is driving this project to revise and develop skills standards to support the technical skills needed to design and manufacture timber frames and trusses. Thank you to those who provided feedback on the final draft qualifications, skill sets and units that are listed below. The initial drafts were made available on this webpage for validation and comment from 23 March – 6 April 2020. Additional units were also available for validation from 8 – 24 May 2020. The final drafts will shortly progress through to the Finalisation stage of the project which includes quality assurance of the documents and review and feedback from the State/Territory Training Authorities. They will then be forwarded to the Forest and Wood Products Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off, before being submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.
Key Changes
The units, skill sets and Qualifications have been revised so that they better reflect industry job roles and occupations, particularly the different learning pathways and job outcomes for design and manufacturing.
Five new skill sets have been developed to support fabricators who wish to develop technical skills related to a job function they are required to perform. Each skill set is a subset of, and will provide credits toward, the proposed Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacturing.
The draft Certificate III in Timber Systems Design and Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacturing are proposed to replace the current Certificate III in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture. These two qualifications cover the skills and learning outcomes of the two distinct jobs that are designers (estimators) and fabricators.
A number of current qualifications are also proposed for deletion because of low demand for training and the availability of alternative qualifications.
Summary of Consultation
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was established to provide advice on updates to the units, skill sets, and qualifications. The project team met for a one-day face-to-face workshop in Melbourne with the TAC, as well as undertaking a range of site visits to gather information about the job roles in frame and truss plants. Key findings from the site visits are outlined under the ‘Development’ stage linked above.
The draft qualifications, skill sets and units were then made publicly available for comment from 14 February to 16 March 2020, under the ‘Drafts Available’ stage. During this time, feedback was collected via via phone, webinar, emails and online poll. All comments and feedback were then considered to revise the documents which were made available for ‘Validation’.
Additional units were made available for broad industry feedback from 6 April – 1 May 2020, before being revised and made available for validation. These were initially included on the project scope, but were not selected for the Certificate III in Timber Systems Design, Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture or Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design. They relate to job tasks in the broader timber manufactured products and sawmilling and processing industry sectors. Feedback on these units was encouraged from the broader industry to ensure that the units reflect the relevant skills and knowledge.
A description of how feedback has been considered and applied in the final drafts can be downloaded below. Please click the ‘Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions’ button. To download a summary of feedback on the initial units, click the ‘Additional Units Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions’ button.
Feedback received supported the revised draft qualifications and new skill sets for jobs in timber systems fabrication. No changes have been made to the draft documents since the last round of feedback.
Click here to download a zipped folder of all skill sets in this group.
| FWP3XXXX Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture | View final draft qualification |
| FWP3XXXX Certificate III in Timber Systems Design | View final draft qualification |
| FWP4XXXX Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design | View final draft qualification |
The following qualifications are proposed for deletion because of low demand for training at this level. While one stakeholder has indicated the importance of relevant higher level qualifications, including Diplomas for senior designers, to demonstrate their skills to certifying bodies, alternative qualifications are available at Diploma level.
| FWP20716 Certificate II in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture | View qualification on training.gov.au |
| FWP40316 Certificate IV in Timber Truss and Frame Manufacture | View qualification on training.gov.au |
| FWP50216 Diploma of Timber Truss and Frame Manufacture | View qualification on training.gov.au |
| FWP50316 Diploma of Timber Truss and Frame Design | View qualification on training.gov.au |
Feedback received supported the revised draft qualifications and new skill sets for jobs in timber systems fabrication. No changes have been made to the draft documents since the last round of feedback.
Click here to download a zipped folder of all skill sets in this group.
| FWPSS000XX Cutting Timber to Length and Angle Skill Set | View final draft skill set |
| FWPSS000XX Timber Wall Frame Manufacture Skill Set | View final draft skill set |
| FWPSS000XX Timber Roof Truss Manufacture Skill Set | View final draft skill set |
| FWPSS000XX Timber Floor Truss Manufacture Skill Set | View final draft skill set |
| FWPSS000XX Stacking and Storing Timber Frames and Trusses Skill Set | View final draft skill set |
Minor changes have been made to the Performance Criteria and Performance Evidence of some draft units, most notably to clarify assessment requirements and reword or remove items to avoid duplication.
Click here to download a zipped folder of all skill sets in this group.
Note: Since Validation, two units listed below have been deferred, with the aim for these to be reviewed as part of projects in the future. This is because they are listed as core units in multiple qualifications.
- FWPCOR3XXX Conduct quality and product care procedures
- FWPCOR2XXX Communicate and interact effectively in the workplace
| FWPCOR2XXX Communicate and interact effectively in the workplace | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Stack and bind material | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Use hand-held tools | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Store materials | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Assess timber for manufacturing potential | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Take off material quantities | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXXX Quote and interpret from manufactured timber product plans | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Create drawings using computer aided design systems | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT4XXX Design timber structures | View final draft unit |
| FWPTMM4XXX Interpret details of timber floor systems to inform design of plans and production documents | View final draft unit |
| FWPTMM4XXX Interpret details of timber roof trusses to inform design of plans and production documents | View final draft unit |
| FWPTMM4XXX Interpret details of timber wall frames to inform design of plans and production documents | View final draft unit |
| FWPTMM2XXX Cut material to length and angles | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOR3XXX Conduct quality and product care procedures | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT2XXX Dock material to length | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Prepare sketches and drawings | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Assemble timber wall frames | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT3XXX Assemble timber roof trusses | View final draft unit |
| FWPTMM3XXX Read and interpret timber truss or wall frame fabrication plans | View final draft unit |
| FWPTMM3XXX Assemble timber floor trusses | View final draft unit |
Minor changes have been made to the draft new unit since the last round of feedback.
| FWPXXXXXX Work effectively in the timber systems design industry | View final draft unit |
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group.
| Unit Name | Link |
| FWPCOT2260 Tally material | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT2261 Process orders and prepare for despatch | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT2262 Cut material to shape using a saw | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT3320 Build and maintain timber stacks | View final draft unit |
| FWPCOT4211 Monitor stock control procedures | View final draft unit |
| FWPSAW2212 Assemble materials using nail plates | View final draft unit |
| FWPTMM4212 Calculate production costs | View final draft unit |
Note: Originally it was communicated that 11 additional units were available for feedback. Four of those units have since been deferred, with the aim for these to be reviewed as part of projects in the future. This is in addition to five other units that were deferred, as they are listed as core units in multiple qualifications. All nine deferred units are listed below. Details of proposed future projects are available in the 2020 Annual Update to the Skills Forecast.
- FWPCOR2XXX Maintain quality and product care
- FWPCOR3XXX Visually assess materials
- FWPCOR4XXX Monitor safety, health and environment policies and procedures
- FWPCOR4XXX Monitor quality and product care procedures
- FWPCOR2201 Work effectively in the forest and forest products industry
- FWPCOR2202 Communicate and interact effectively in the workplace
- FWPCOR2203 Follow environmental care procedures
- FWPCOR3202 Conduct quality and product care procedures
- FWPCOT3263 Maintain and contribute to energy efficiency
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Forestry & Timber’ as your industry of interest. |
Finalisation
Timber trusses and frames play an essential role in many modern homes and other buildings, as a key structural element supporting the weight of the building, as well as roofing including solar, air conditioning or hot water units, and providing surfaces for a wide range of cladding technologies. It is the responsibility of timber systems fabricators and designers (estimators) to work together to produce structurally sound trusses and frames for building construction. While the roles of timber systems designers and fabricators both require the ability to read plans, work as a team, and follow appropriate health and safety practices, distinct skills are needed for each position. Expertise in engineering, architecture, and building codes enable designers to draw up plans and calculate the quantity of materials used and their cost. Knowledge of different timber types and how to work with them using appropriate tools and methods allow fabricators to produce trusses and frames to put these plans into action.
The 2018-21 Skills Forecast highlighted a shortage of locally based timber systems designers in Australia, while the demand for timber roof trusses and wall frames was growing. Support for more local designers is important, as nothing compares to having eyes on the factory floor or building site for smooth communication and checking building codes are being adhered to.
Industry has driven this project to review the current skills standards for timber truss and frame estimating and manufacture so that they reflect the distinct skills requirements for job roles in Australia. This has resulted in the update of three qualifications and 25 units of competency and the development of five new skill sets and one new unit of competency. They have been updated to broaden entry requirements and improve consistency. The reviewed and developed skills standards were published on the training.gov.au website on 4 December 2020, within the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package. They are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs).
Education, training and continuous improvement to process, product development and quality systems are critical success factors for the timber industry. The committee’s approach to update the incumbent courses is a step to recognise the essential skills required to educate current timber industry workers and introduce a new generation of timber systems designers.
Cris Garcia, Timber Systems Designer, TMIEAust
Key Outcomes
- Three qualifications revised, including a Certificate III in Timber Systems Design and a Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture. The Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design supports a career pathway from the Certificate III in Timber Systems Design for junior designers/estimators, or direct entry for more senior designers/detailers.
- Four current qualifications from the Certificate II to Diploma are proposed for deletion because of low demand for training and availability of alternative qualifications.
- Five skills sets have been developed so that fabricators can develop technical skills related to a job function as opposed to a complete end-to-end manufacturing process. Each skill set is a subset of, and will provide credits toward, the revised FWP30920 Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture. These skill sets are:
- FWPSS00041 Cutting Timber to Length and Angle Skill Set
- FWPSS00042 Timber Wall Frame Manufacture Skill Set
- FWPSS00043 Timber Roof Truss Manufacture Skill Set
- FWPSS00044 Timber Floor Truss Manufacture Skill Set
- FWPSS00045 Stacking and Storing Timber Frames and Trusses Skill Set
- Twenty units revised. A number of units were re-titled to reflect the required skills and knowledge accurately. All units were reviewed and rewritten for clarity, sequencing and to reflect the Standards for Training Packages 2012. Eight units were merged into four units following feedback from experts in the industry. Content from FWPCOT3243 Operate a truss press was incorporated into two units (assemble timber roof trusses and assemble timber floor trusses).
- One unit developed for working effectively in the timber systems design industry.
- Seven additional units reviewed. These were initially included on the project scope, but were not selected for the Certificate III in Timber Systems Design, Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture or Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design. They relate to job tasks in the broader timber manufactured products and sawmilling and processing industry sectors.
- Nine units that were initially included on the project scope were deferred for later review as part of later projects, as they are listed as core units in multiple qualifications. Details of proposed future projects are available in the 2020 Annual Update to the Skills Forecast.
Summary of consultation
The qualifications, skill sets, and units were revised and developed with guidance from a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The broader industry were then consulted on the draft documents at two different stages – the ‘Drafts Available’ and ‘Validation’ stages. Additional units were made available for broad industry feedback from 6 April – 1 May 2020, before being revised and made available for validation between 8 – 24 May 2020.
Feedback was collected via the online feedback hub, a consultation webinar, site visits, phone calls, and email.
A summary of feedback and how it was been considered and applied at the ‘Drafts Available’ and ‘Validation’ stages can be downloaded below.
The final draft qualification and units of competency have been endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (read the communique) and State and Territory Ministers. They have also undergone an edit and equity and independent quality assurance process and consideration by the State/Territory Training Authorities (STAs/TTAs).
Please find below links to the final documents, that are published on the training.gov.au website. A Case for Endorsement was submitted alongside the drafts, including a rationale of why these changes are needed and evidence of industry support. RTOs can find information to help them adopt to the new changes in the Companion Volume, which provides additional information about the impacts of regulation and licensing implications and workplace health and safety on their training.
Click here to download the Case for Endorsement
Click here to download the Companion Volume Implementation Guide
Note: Nine units of competency have since been deferred to be reviewed as part of projects in the future, as they are listed as core units in multiple qualifications. Details of proposed future projects are available in the 2020 Annual Update to the Skills Forecast.
- FWPCOR2XXX Maintain quality and product care
- FWPCOR3XXX Visually assess materials
- FWPCOR4XXX Monitor safety, health and environment policies and procedures
- FWPCOR4XXX Monitor quality and product care procedures
- FWPCOR2201 Work effectively in the forest and forest products industry
- FWPCOR2202 Communicate and interact effectively in the workplace
- FWPCOR2203 Follow environmental care procedures
- FWPCOR3202 Conduct quality and product care procedures
- FWPCOT3263 Maintain and contribute to energy efficiency