Courses - Foundation

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The Foundation Course is intended for newcomers to the timber and allied industries including users of timber and wood products. It is also suited to those with some experience in timber who wish to improve their product knowledge.

The Course is particularly suited as a component of a company induction programme for new staff and is also suited to the user industries for anyone wishing to improve their product awareness.

The Course books can also be used in conjunction with product knowledge training programmes provided by company staff, a training agency or a visiting tutor.

The Course is presented in two workbooks designed primarily for distance learning with the support of a mentor or can be delivered as an ON-LINE learning option (please contact the IWSc office for further details). The mentor can be a supervisor, a line manager, a training officer or anyone with an appropriate knowledge of the industry.

For a view of the online material click on this link and then click on look inside

If you would like to take this course online please contact Head Office on info@iwsc.org.uk or alternatively call on 0207 256 2700.

Book one: The Material

Timber, the Nature of Wood - Softwoods and hardwoods; Sources of supply; Common timbers in use; The naming of timbers; Timber sizes; Timber pricing; Timber grades; Timber preservation; Environmental considerations.
Panel Products - Veneer plywood; Plywood grades; Plywood adhesives; core plywood; Particleboards and orientated strand boards; Fibreboards; Panel products storage and handling.

Book two: Timber Uses

Carcassing timber - Typical applications; Timber species used; Methods of strength grading; Strength grades and marks; Strength classes.
Joinery - Typical applications; Softwoods and hardwoods used; Sizes; Grading and tim ber care; Mouldings, profiled timber and flooring; Joinery components, windows, doors and stairs.

Each book contains a number of tasks to be carried out by the learner. Some of these can be completed by observation in and around the workplace, others seek information that can be obtained by asking colleagues, for example a line manager, and others test the knowledge gained from studying the books.

The whole Course represents about 20 study hours. This however will vary with the individual learner and the structure and duration of the study programme.

Assessment

As part of the Course there is a test paper. This will be held by the mentor/supervisor or trainer. On completion of the Course workbooks the learner should undertake the test and this is returned to the Institute for formal assessment.

On successful completion of the Course Workbooks and test candidates will be issued with the Institute's Timber Studies Award.

Hitherto this award has been available through the study of certain approved courses and an appropriate examination set and marked by the Institute, for example the Diploma Series run by the former Timber Trade Training Association. The launch of the Institute's Foundation Course will now become the approved study route for this award.

The Course, whilst being self-contained, has been specially written to form an introduction to the IWSc Certificate Course.

A brochure has been prepared for the Course and is available from the Institute. We, at head office, will be pleased to answer any questions on the Course, to advise on the methods of study and the costs.

The Institute acknowledges the help and support of the Timber Trade Federation in the development of the Course.

The cost of the Course, which includes the two workbooks, the Timber Studies Award Examination and postage/packing, is £150 (if you would like pricing in euros please contact Head Office) per student (20% discount for IWSc Corporate Members).

Order forms to register students can be obtained from the Institute's head office on request or you can download a form in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format or Word format.

For further information please contact the Institute.