Cross Laminated Timber Building Systems Project

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The “ability to apply knowledge and operate machines used in different stages of the cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam production processes” was identified as a priority skill area in the 2017 Forest and Wood Products IRC Skills Forecast (see page 38). Skills Impact and the Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will take this project through a process that adheres to the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.Download the IRC Skills Forecast (see page 38)

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Project Scope
This project will review and update units of competency relating to cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam production, to incorporate the skills and knowledge that is required to operate machinery, so all job functions are accurately described.Scroll down to view the list of units that will be reviewed in this project, and the various skilled activities they cover. New units will also be developed as identified through industry consultation.Growing building construction activity and use of timber as the dominant structural material has been a notable driver for timber products demand, particularly the new generation of engineered wood products – cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam.Capital investments in new processing and manufacturing plants for CLT and Glulam have also increased, requiring specific skills to operate machines and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment and to manage different stages of the production processes.

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe 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 on the subscription form.
 
Relevant Occupations
Managers, supervisors and operators in engineered timber products manufacturing. 
Key Deliverables
The project has two components:
  1. The review and improvement of twenty one (21) units of competency from wood panel products, timber processing and forest industry sustainability qualifications to update specific skills and guided by industry consultation.
  2. Development of up to eleven (11) new units of competency in the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package to incorporate skills for the full range of process and machine operations and management of production for CLT and Glulam.
 
Timeline
November 2017 Initial scopingDecember 2017 - January 2018 Development of draft materialsMarch 2018 Industry consultation of draft materialsApril 2018 Industry validation of final draftsApril 2018 Finalisation of training package componentsApril - May 2018 Independent quality assurance, and edit and equity review of training package componentsJune 2018 IRC consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement 
Project Team
Tim ClearyProject Manager, ForestWorks [email protected]
Michelle ClaytonTraining Package Specialist, ForestWorks [email protected]
Appointed as requiredSkills Development Specialist
 
Units that will be will be reviewed
Below is a list of the current units that will be reviewed as part of this project. Click on the unit name to view the existing unit on training.gov.au.New units will also be developed for cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam production, as identified through industry consultation.  
Technical Experts
A Technical Advisory Committee will be established to provide technical input to the review and development of units, skill sets and qualifications.If you are interested in applying to be a technical expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to [email protected]

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Development work to update units of competency relating to cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam production has begun with a review of units of competency from the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package.Advice was provided from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) members on job roles and skill requirements related to manufacturing of solid engineered wood products (CLT & Glulam).The following development activities have taken place for this project:
  • Industry feedback was sought on 21 units of competency, for how they could be improved without impacting timber and wood panel manufacturers with similar processes and job functions. Design, production planning, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining and lamination operations are processes involved not only in the traditional manufacturing of some timber products but also in the CLT/Glulam manufacture.
  • New units were developed, in conjunction with the Prefabricated Building Systems Project, for high-level design of timber building systems, off-site manufacturing and on-site installation. Feedback from stakeholders indicated that the highest skill priorities for businesses lie at the interface between CLT manufacturers and the designers who are unfamiliar with working with CLT panels.
  • Facilitating consultation for a related project, initiated by the Furnishing Industry Reference Committee (IRC), for reviewing units of competency regarding CNC operations in highly automated manufacture processes such as those similar to timber manufacturing. Feedback from stakeholders suggested that the current units of competency in the FWP Training Package for CNC operations are very basic. A close analysis also indicated that these units were based on the MSF - Furnishing Training Package.
Stakeholders noted that the manufacture of non-linear or curved Glulam could emerge in Australia over the next years and the FWP Training Package does not cover this job function. There is no company currently producing curved Glulam in Australia and as such the job roles are not fully understood. Therefore, the project team proposed that the issue be added to the feedback register for follow up with the possibility it maybe a potential new project in the future.
Technical Experts
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has been established and includes the following members.
  • Nick Hewson, XLAM
  • Robert Mansell, Hyne
  • John Toole DTM Timber
  • Hans Porada, TAFE NSW
  • Judy Barnett, Cadet Timber Design
  • Mihai Daian, Margules Groome Consulting
  • Alastair Woodard, Wood Products Victoria
Additional subject matter experts are welcome and invited. If you would like to contribute technical expertise to the project, please email [email protected]
 

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe 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 on the subscription form.
  

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Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the revised units of competency. The drafts were made available on the Skills Impact website for broad stakeholder review from 6 – 27 August 2018.Feedback was sought on whether the draft documents reflect current industry skills standards, knowledge and practices and whether all job functions are accurately described. Feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which will be available for industry validation in September 2018.The new units have been developed in conjunction with the Prefabricated Building Systems Project in the area of design, manufacture and installation of timber building systems, involving Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam among other components. The existing units of competency have been revised to meet the skill needs for CLT/Glulam operations while maintaining their suitability for all other users and timber manufacturing sectors.
Summary of consultation
Feedback on the draft documents was collected via the online feedback hub. To view the draft documents, including comments that were made on them from people using the feedback hub, please click on the expandable document menus below.The draft units have been developed in consultation with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), made up of workplace experts and industry, with input from their networks also. Advice was provided from the TAC on job roles and skill requirements in the manufacturing of solid engineered wood products (CLT & Glulam). Due to cross over of many of the skills being reviewed, consultation activities for this project have taken place concurrently with the Prefabricated Building Systems Project

New Units

Four new units have been developed in conjunction with the Prefabricated Timber Building Systems Project, in the area of design, manufacture and installation of prefabricated timber building systems, involving Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam among other components.
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here. Design
FWPTMM5XXX Design timber building systems for compliance, off-site manufacture and on-site installationJob roles targeted:
  • architects, design engineers, draftspersons, structural engineers, building services engineers, architectural technicians, 3D visualisers, Building Information Modelling (BIM) technicians or computer-aided design (CAD) modellers.
Skills and knowledge covered:
  • facilitate collaborative design of prefabricated timber building systems through information exchange across multiple supply chain tiers
  • achieve detailed and integrated design solutions and specifications for multiple stages of the system’s life cycle (off-site prefabrication, transportation and on-site installation) to meet:
    • structural compliance
    • safety compliance
    • services assembly
    • safe and efficient transportation and on-site installation
View unit
 Off-site manufacture
FWPTMM3XXX Apply critical workplace processes in the off-site manufacture of timber building systemsJob roles targeted:
  • operators who conduct production tasks on an assembly line for prefabricated timber building systems
Skills and knowledge covered:
  • apply critical workplace processes including:
    • workplace health and safety practices
    • efficient storage and handling of building materials for major timber building subassemblies
    • quality check requirements at the workstations before and after assembly work
    • control of waste material for disposal.
View unit
FWPTMM5XXX Verify compliance and conformance of prefabricated timber building systems during off-site manufactureJob roles targeted:
  • compliance officers, supervisors or managers who work in a prefabricated timber building systems manufacturing plant
Skills and knowledge covered:
  • verify physical performance and compliance liability of timber building systems and components during off-site manufacturing to ensure that the delivered product matches the design specifications and regulatory obligations.
View unit
 On-site installation
FWPTMM3XXX Install prefabricated timber building systems on-siteJob roles targeted:
  • construction operators, carpenters or joiners and site supervisors who install prefabricated timber building structures
Skills and knowledge covered:
    • apply on-site safety practices
    • plan and prepare for installation
    • protect prefabricated timber building systems while stored on site
    • install prefabricated timber building systems
    • verify compliance of construction position and connect panelised and/or modular prefabricated timber building systems correctly during installation on the construction site, including the following activities:
    • perform project completion operations
View unit

Revised Units

Twenty-one existing units of competency have been revised to meet the skill needs for CLT/Glulam operations while maintaining their suitability for all other users and timber manufacturing sectors.Workplace health and safety requirements in the performance criteria have been updated, the intent of the units and assessment requirements have been clarified and the range of products in some units have been expanded to include cross laminated timber.
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here. 
FWPTMM4201 Construct prototypes and samplesView unit
FWPTMM5201 Assess product feasibility of designsView unit
FWPTMM5204 Manage product designView unit
FWPCOT6203 Develop engineered timber products to meet energy efficient building design needsView unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here. 
FWPTMM5205 Optimise CNC operationsView unit
FWPCOT3234 Cut material using CNC sizing machinesView unit
FWPCOT3235 Machine material using CNC machining and processing centresView unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here. 
FWPTMM5206 Plan productionView unit
FWPWPP4201 Plan and coordinate panel productionView unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here. 
FWPCOT3205 Dress boards using multi-headed machinesView unit
FWPCOT3228 Plane/sand panelsView unit
FWPCOT3244 Cut material to profileView unit
FWPCOT3230 Operate automated stacking equipmentView unit
FWPWPP3209 Prepare resin and additivesView unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here. 
FWPSAW4204 Plan and monitor board conversionView unit
FWPWPP3206 Laminate and veneer board surfacesView unit
FWPWPP3210 Laminate boardView unit
FWPWPP3219 Blend and test binding mixesView unit
FWPWPP3226 Operate a continuous pressView unit
FWPCOT3229 Mechanically stress grade panelsView unit
FWPWPP3221 Trim new panels to sizeView unit
  

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe 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 on the subscription form.
 

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Thank you to those who participated in the validation process for the final draft units of competency. The final drafts were made available for broad stakeholder validation and comment on this webpage, from 3 - 16 September 2018. 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, before the final drafts are forwarded to the Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off. They will then be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.Validation means checking and confirming that the documents are logical and factually accurate.
Summary of consultation
Prior to the Validation period, the draft units of competency were made available on this webpage for broad stakeholder review, from 6 - 27 August 2018, under the ‘Drafts Available’ menu above. Under this menu, you can still view the drafts, including any comments that were made on them from people using the feedback hub. Feedback was also received via other engagement methods. A description of how this feedback was considered and applied in the final drafts can be downloaded via the ‘Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions’ button. The draft units have been developed in consultation with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), made up of workplace experts and industry, with input from their networks. Advice was provided from the TAC on job roles and skill requirements in the manufacturing of solid engineered wood products (CLT & Glulam). Due to cross over of many of the skills being reviewed, consultation activities for this project have taken place concurrently with the Prefabricated Building Systems Project.

New Units

Four new units have been developed in conjunction with the Prefabricated Timber Building Systems Project, in the area of design, manufacture and installation of prefabricated timber building systems, involving Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam among other components.
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this groupViews were also sought on the placement of the new units within qualifications from the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package. It is proposed that the new units are listed as electives on relevant frame and truss qualifications (see table below). 
FWPTMM5XXX Design prefabricated timber building systems for compliance, off-site manufacture and on-site installationFWPTMM3XXX Apply critical workplace processes in the off-site manufacture of timber building systemsFWPTMM5XXX Verify compliance and conformance of prefabricated timber building systems during off-site manufactureFWPTMM3XXX Install prefabricated timber building systems on-site
FWP50316 Diploma of Timber Truss and Frame Designx
FWP30916 Certificate III in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacturexx
FWP50216 Diploma of Timber Truss and Frame Manufacturex
 Design
FWPTMM5XXX Design prefabricated timber building systems for compliance, off-site manufacture and on-site installationJob roles targeted:
  • architects, design engineers, draftspersons, structural engineers, building services engineers, architectural technicians, 3D visualisers, Building Information Modelling (BIM) technicians or computer-aided design (CAD) modellers.
Skills and knowledge covered:
  • facilitate collaborative design of prefabricated timber building systems through information exchange across multiple supply chain tiers
  • achieve detailed and integrated design solutions and specifications for multiple stages of the system’s life cycle (off-site prefabrication, transportation and on-site installation) to meet:
    • structural compliance
    • safety compliance
    • services assembly
    • safe and efficient transportation and on-site installation
Download final draft unit
 Off-site manufacture
FWPTMM3XXX Apply critical workplace processes in the off-site manufacture of timber building systemsJob roles targeted:
  • operators who conduct production tasks on an assembly line for prefabricated timber building systems
Skills and knowledge covered:
  • apply critical workplace processes including:
    • workplace health and safety practices
    • efficient storage and handling of building materials for major timber building subassemblies
    • quality check requirements at the workstations before and after assembly work
    • control of waste material for disposal.
Download final draft unit
FWPTMM5XXX Verify compliance and conformance of prefabricated timber building systems during off-site manufactureJob roles targeted:
  • compliance officers, supervisors or managers who work in a prefabricated timber building systems manufacturing plant
Skills and knowledge covered:
  • verify physical performance and compliance liability of timber building systems and components during off-site manufacturing to ensure that the delivered product matches the design specifications and regulatory obligations.
Download final draft unit
 On-site installation
FWPTMM3XXX Install prefabricated timber building systems on-siteJob roles targeted:
  • construction operators, carpenters or joiners and site supervisors who install prefabricated timber building structures
Skills and knowledge covered:
    • apply on-site safety practices
    • plan and prepare for installation
    • protect prefabricated timber building systems while stored on site
    • install prefabricated timber building systems
    • verify compliance of construction position and connect panelised and/or modular prefabricated timber building systems correctly during installation on the construction site, including the following activities:
    • perform project completion operations
Download final draft unit
 

Revised Units

Twenty-one existing units of competency have been revised to meet the skill needs for CLT/Glulam operations while maintaining their suitability for all other users and timber manufacturing sectors.Workplace health and safety requirements in the performance criteria have been updated, the intent of the units and assessment requirements have been clarified and the range of products in some units have been expanded to include cross laminated timber.
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
FWPTMM4XXX Construct prototypes and samples for timber structuresDownload final draft unit
FWPTMM5XXX Assess timber product designs for feasibilityDownload final draft unit
FWPTMM5XXX Manage timber product designDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT6XXX Develop engineered wood products to meet energy efficient building design needsDownload final draft unit
 
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
FWPTMM5205 Optimise CNC operationsDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT3234 Cut material using CNC sizing machinesDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT3235 Machine material using CNC machining and processing centresDownload final draft unit
 
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
FWPTMM5206 Plan productionDownload final draft unit
FWPWPP4XXX Plan and coordinate engineered wood panel productionDownload final draft unit
 
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
FWPCOT3XXX Dress timber using multi-headed machinesDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT3XXX Plane or sand timber and engineered wood productsDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT3XXX Cut timber and engineered wood product to profileDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT3230 Operate automated stacking equipmentDownload final draft unit
FWPWPP3209 Prepare resin and additivesDownload final draft unit
 
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group
FWPSAW4XXX Plan and monitor timber conversionDownload final draft unit
FWPWPP3XXX Laminate and veneer engineered wood panel surfacesDownload final draft unit
FWPWPP3XXX Laminate engineered wood panelsDownload final draft unit
FWPWPP3219 Blend and test binding mixesDownload final draft unit
FWPWPP3XXX Operate a continuous press for the production of engineered wood panelsDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT3XXX Mechanically stress grade engineered wood panelsDownload final draft unit
FWPWPP3XXX Trim new engineered wood panels to sizeDownload final draft unit
 
  

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe 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 on the subscription form.
  
Next stage of the project
Once industry has validated all final drafts they will be submitted to the Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off. After final quality assurance of the drafts, they will be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.

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On the 4 December 2018, the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) approved the Case for Endorsement for the new and revised units of competency, along with a Companion Volume Implementation Guide.The final units are now published on training.gov.au, which means they are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs). They are published within the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package version 4 (published on 18/12/2018). Click here to view the training package.This project reviewed and updated units of competency relating to cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam production, to incorporate the skills and knowledge that is required to operate machinery, so all job functions are accurately described.
What does this mean for training providers?
Registered training organisations (RTOs) may now apply to have the updated qualifications, skill sets and units added to their scope of registration. RTOs who already have the qualifications, skill sets and units that have been updated as part of this endorsement have 12 months to transition to deliver the updated qualifications, skill sets and units, from the date of publication. For more information, visit the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) website. A Companion Volume Implementation Guide has also been produced to help training providers implement the new and revised qualifications, skill sets and units. It can be downloaded from VETNet.com. 
Summary of project outcomes
  • 21 revised units of competency, related to timber product design, production planning, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining and lamination operations.
  • 4 new units, in the area of design, manufacture and installation of prefabricated timber building systems (developed in in conjunction with the Prefabricated Building Systems Project).
Case for Endorsement
Please see the Case for Endorsement for more information about the work that was undertaken and why: Download Case for EndorsementNote that the units developed out of the Prefabricated Building Systems Project were also approved as part of this Case for Endorsement.
Summary of consultation
The final drafts were made available for broad stakeholder validation and comment on this webpage, from 3 – 16 September 2018, under the ‘Validation’ menu above. Prior to this the draft units of competency underwent broad stakeholder review, from 6 – 27 August 2018, under the ‘Drafts Available’ menu. Under this menu, you can still view the drafts, including any comments that were made on them from people using the feedback hub. Feedback was also received via other engagement methods. A description of how this feedback was considered and applied in the final drafts can be downloaded via the ‘Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions’ button. The draft units have been developed in consultation with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), made up of workplace experts and industry, with input from their networks. Advice was provided from the TAC on job roles and skill requirements in the manufacturing of solid engineered wood products (CLT & Glulam).Please find below links to the final units on training.gov.au 
Four new units have been developed in conjunction with the Prefabricated Timber Building Systems Project, in the area of design, manufacture and installation of prefabricated timber building systems, involving Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam among other components.
FWPTMM5209 Determine prefabricated timber building systems designs for compliance, manufacture and installationView unit on training.gov.au
FWPTMM3208 Apply critical workplace processes in the manufacture of prefabricated timber building systemsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPTMM5210 Verify compliance and conformance of prefabricated timber building systems during manufactureView unit on training.gov.au
FWPTMM3209 Install prefabricated timber building systems on-siteView unit on training.gov.au
 
Twenty-one existing units of competency have been revised to meet the skill needs for CLT/Glulam operations while maintaining their suitability for all other users and timber manufacturing sectors.Workplace health and safety requirements in the performance criteria have been updated, the intent of the units and assessment requirements have been clarified and the range of products in some units have been expanded to include cross laminated timber.
FWPCOT3230 Operate automated stacking equipmentView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT3234 Cut material using CNC sizing machinesView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT3235 Machine material using CNC machining and processing centresView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT3265 Cut timber or engineered wood product to profileView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT3266 Dress timber using multi-headed machinesView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT3267 Mechanically stress grade engineered wood panelsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT3268 Plane and sand engineered wood productsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT6210 Develop engineered wood products to meet energy efficient building design needsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPSAW4205 Plan and monitor timber conversionView unit on training.gov.au
FWPTMM4208 Construct prototypes and samples for timber structuresView unit on training.gov.au
FWPTMM5205 Optimise CNC operationsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPTMM5206 Plan productionView unit on training.gov.au
FWPTMM5207 Assess timber product designs for feasibilityView unit on training.gov.au
FWPTMM5208 Manage timber product designView unit on training.gov.au
FWPWPP3209 Prepare resin and additivesView unit on training.gov.au
FWPWPP3219 Blend and test binding mixesView unit on training.gov.au
FWPWPP3232 Operate a heat roll bonding machine to laminate or veneer engineered wood panel surfacesView unit on training.gov.au
FWPWPP3233 Operate a laminating press for engineered wood panelsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPWPP3234 Operate a continuous press for the production of engineered wood panelsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPWPP3235 Trim new engineered wood panels to sizeView unit on training.gov.au
FWPWPP4203 Plan and coordinate engineered wood panel productionView unit on training.gov.au