Regulatory changes on construction and the environment which are scheduled to come into force over the next couple of years are set to deliver a major boost to the proportion of timber-framed homes being built in the United Kingdom.

 

Yet, according to Mike Cruickshank, sales director of Scotframe Timber Engineering, despite its already soaring popularity – timber frame housing accounts for over two thirds of newly built Scottish homes and well over 80 per cent in the self-build market – too few in the building and construction industry are aware of the great career opportunities the timber framed sector affords.

 

‘The key contribution of timber frame homes to the climate change challenge is their remarkable thermal efficiency, and because they offer precision construction and excellent insulation qualities, they require far less fuel to heat and stay warmer longer once they are heated’.

 

He continued, ‘despite rearguard actions by proponents of traditional brick and block construction methods, timber frame now ticks all the boxes – from sustainability and carbon footprint to labour costs – such that the real surprise is that anyone still builds by other means.

 

‘The timber frame sector offers people with a background in building and construction an opportunity to broaden their horizons since it is a sector that, partly as a result of the increasing demand for society to be environmentally-aware, is growing throughout the UK, especially in Scotland, and provides increasing limitless possibilities in terms of innovative design and creativity’.

 

Why, he argues, should highly trained technologists and skilled trades people within the industry be obliged to spend their working lives in the cold and damp of building sites which are wholly at the mercy of the weather, when the opportunity exists to fabricate off-site in the controlled environment of a modern, high-tech factory?

 

Typically those with City & Guilds and HNC / HND qualifications in building and construction can readily transfer over into the world of timber frame design and estimating. Opportunities abound for design technicians who, in the traditional architect’s office can be limited in their career development and, as a result, in their earning potential, whereas in the timber frame sector they are actively encouraged to take on positions of responsibility and are paid accordingly.

 

Contrary to traditional construction industry practice, designers at Scotframe run with a design all the way from start to completion and this is not just limited to housing, since a whole range of commercial buildings are increasingly being built with timber frames.

 

‘We’ve supplied timber-framed golf clubhouses, hotels, children’s nurseries and even a funeral parlour, and increasingly’, said Mr.Cruickshank, ‘timber frame is being used in commercial development though it remains true to say that domestic property construction is still the core of the industry’.

 

The entire business is technology-based: computer-based design in an architect’s office can integrate seamlessly with the engineering and manufacturing systems and highly automated plant in a modern timber frame factory. The architect can engage in online discussions with the manufacturer as the project progresses and design out potential problems before the job reaches the site.

 

‘Many of our estimators have come to us from a background in traditional construction having completed apprenticeships as joiners with City & Guilds qualifications and are happy to develop their knowledge and thereby their career prospects through swapping the sometimes spartan conditions of the construction site for the comfort of the office environment where their practical experience can prove invaluable.

 

‘Typical estimators’ duties are to prepare accurate materials take-offs from architectural drawings, obtain quotes from external suppliers which relate to internal or external joinery requirements such as windows, external doors, stairs and roof trusses and preparation of formal quotations for prospective customers to ensure that the product conforms to, and reflects precisely, the specifications requested. They are the interface between the sales team and the customer, usually a small to medium sized building developer or a self-builder’, he said.

 

‘In our sector’, said Mr. Cruickshank, ‘there are also great opportunities for anyone from a trade background who has progressed to the role of site agent or project manager and wants to broaden their horizons and, perhaps, begin to climb the management ladder in a burgeoning, environmentally-aware industry. Four of Scotframe’s current directors and a cohort of the company’s senior managers come from architectural technician or trade backgrounds’, he said.

 

New entrants into the sector, in the shape of school-leavers with relevant Standard grades are also encouraged to join Scotframe. ‘We give all our school-leaver entrants a structured training programme which incorporates day release classes and leads to them obtaining the formal qualifications which allow them to progress further’, said Mr.Cruickshank.

 

Certainly there seems to be no lack of opportunity within the industry since the market throughout the UK, prompted by the need to adjust to the green agenda, moves steadily year on year towards a greater proportion of timber-framed new construction.

 

‘Scotframe is a company proud not only of its product, but also of the fact that we are steadily training our people to making a positive contribution to the challenge of climate change. We aim always to be at the forefront of product quality and innovation in timber frame’, he added.

 

Scotframe operates across the UK and Ireland from its bases in Inverurie near Aberdeen, Cumbernauld near Glasgow, and Hillsborough in Northern Ireland and employs over 200 people. Current turnover is in excess of £35m.

 

For further information, contact Scotframe, 4 Deerdykes Place, Westfield Industrial Estate, Cumbernauld, Glasgow G68 9HE. Tel: 01236 861200. M: 07889 250907.

Email: mike.cruickshank@scotframe.co.uk