The supply of wood from Irish forests will double by 2035 and Forest Industries Ireland, which represents the Irish forestry supply chain from forest to end market, is placing great emphasis on supporting the sector to address this challenge.

Globally, construction and the building sector represents 38% of global energy related CO2eq emissions, and reducing the carbon footprint of our future building stock is key to tackling climate change.

“To support the government’s climate objectives and the drive to net-zero, we need to increase the use of timber in construction and the built environment, and support the education and training of our professional architects, engineers, and builders to make specifying timber easy,” said Des O’Toole, marketing and communication director, Forest Industries Ireland. “Timber Spec is about positioning timber as the preferred sustainable material and reducing the barriers to its use and specification.”

Timber Spec is a new series of CPD modules developed by Forest Industries Ireland targeting those that work with wood and those that specify it. The free online courses provide practical design guidance for specifying and handling timber, helping to support effective decision-making. The content covers core subjects like moisture, durability, and strength, as well as more current topics like sustainability, embodied carbon, and life cycle assessments.

Timber Spec modules are accredited by professional bodies, including Engineers Ireland.

The modules are typically 30 minutes in duration, completely free to access, and can be undertaken by the user in their own time. Each module has been developed on a highly engaging eLearning platform using state-of-the- art imagery, animation, and video content. Timber Spec uses interactive tools and learning checks to engage the user and reinforce the learning experience.

The material covers a wide range of topics, including:

  • An introduction to timber specification
  • Understanding timber sustainability
  • Specifying structural timber
  • Timber in the landscape
  • Sustainability in healthy buildings
  • An introduction to timber frame
  • Understanding timber durability
  • An introduction to CLT
  • Specifying timber panel products
  • Bioenergy
  • And many more under development

To access the training modules and learn more about the courses, visit www.timberspec.ie

NMITE COURSES

NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering) is launching two new short CPD courses. Delivered in partnership with Timber Development UK and Edinburgh Napier University, the first course will start on September 26, 2022.

Timber Technology Engineering Design 1 (TED 1) is a 12-week blended course composed of online distance learning and three on-campus challenge sprints of one week each. TED 2 will begin in January 2023.