Pioneering on-line training course launched by TRA

In conjunction with Napier University, the Trussed Rafter Association has launched a pioneering on-line training course for new or slightly rusty trussed rafter designers.

Designed to be completed in 40 hours, from the home or the office, the course, which is pitched at post A Level/HNC standard, covers a basic introduction to trussed rafter design and ranges from fundamental vocabulary through to honed skills.

At the end of the course, if successful, the student is granted a TRA/Napier certificate along with four credits given under the Credit Rating scheme of SCQA and Napier University.

There are eight sections - Industry Terminology, Roof and Truss Shapes, Reading Drawings, Trusses as a Structural Form, Basic Structural Mechanics, Basic Structural Analysis, Introduction to Engineering Design and Creation of Roofscapes - and each one is released after successful completion of the former.

Each section culminates in a short test and there is a final course assessment at the end.

The course is designed to be "stand alone" but the TRA recommends that the student has access to an in-company mentor who has experience in trussed rafter design or timber engineering.

Delivered using Napier University's Virtual Learning Environment WebCT Vista 4.0, the course, which runs on PC or AppleMac with the usual programmes, is accessed through a user ID and password which are given once the course commences.

Susan Farrow, TRA's director, comments, "We have worked closely with Napier University to develop this course which is a brilliant learning tool".

"The course demonstrates the TRA's commitment to attracting and retaining quality staff in the trussed rafter industry by developing their skills".

"This course gives them the opportunity to work at their own pace and combines course learning with their work experience.".

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