14 | Skills & Education
Campaigning for timber sector education, training and skills development
DTS RECOGNISED FOR BRINGING SKILLS
Leading UK offsite timber frame manufacturer, Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS) has been awarded ‘Skillmaker’ status by West Herts College
Above, from left: Sian Williams, curriculum director, West Herts College; Simon Horn, technical development manager, DTS; Amanda Washbrook, deputy principal, partnerships and business development, West Herts College
This accolade is in recognition of the ongoing commitment by DTS to the development of sustainable construction skills, specifically by supporting West Herts College’s Level 2 Site Carpentry & Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) apprenticeship programme. The Skillmakers network comprises over 80 businesses, which are leading the way by shaping education, developing workforce skills and generating employment opportunities. DTS has been working with West Herts College since
2018, when it was appointed to the Hertfordshire Off- Site Manufacturing (OSM) framework. This included supporting a regional consortium of housing providers and Local Authorities to improve the delivery of affordable housing at a local level and to develop local enterprise partnerships.
Since the start of the partnership, DTS has provided regular timber frame workshops to the apprentices and constructed a timber frame demonstration training facility within the college to showcase MMC. In 2022, DTS placed and sponsored a West Herts College apprentice to work with one of its sub-contractors, coinciding with DTS partnering with the college to offer a bespoke apprenticeship programme in support of the next generation of talent for timber frame construction.
“We are delighted to recognise DTS as a Skillmaker,” said Amanda Washbrook, deputy principal; partnerships and business development at West Herts College Group. “This status is in recognition of the fantastic work and support provided to us by Simon and the team at DTS. We’re incredibly grateful for the commitment they have shown to the development of skills across the sustainable construction sector. Their contributions are extremely important to us and highly commendable. “Enhancing the qualifications we offer through employer-led masterclasses and developing job- specific skills enables us to fully prepare our students for the workplace. This is a great example of social responsibility and business working with further education to develop the next generation and tackle skills shortages.”
Simon Horn, technical development manager and Joe Romo, construction development manager at DTS, manage the relationship with West Herts College. “The relationship with West Herts College has gone from strength to strength since 2018 and has delivered more than we ever imagined,” said Mr Horn. “Supporting skills development in the next generation is crucial to the ongoing evolution of the UK construction industry, and is something we’re committed to at DTS, so working with the College to grow and support talent has been an excellent fit. We see great benefit in the partnership and hope it continues long into the future.” ■
RUSHLIFT OPENS TRAINING CENTRE
Rushlift has opened a Centre of Excellence for training forklift truck maintenance engineers and drivers at its Northampton HQ, allowing it to open up its training facilities to businesses across the country. ■
Supporting the Confederation of Timber Industries’ (CTI) Skills & Education initiative
TTJ | January/February 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
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