Training our 1,000th Damp and Timber Technician
Against a backdrop of increasing awareness of the importance of property maintenance and restoration, the significance of our specialised technicians cannot be overstated.
Earlier this month, we trained our 1,000th damp and timber technician, a milestone which the whole industry can be proud of.
The importance of damp and timber technicians
Our members are well aware that damp and timber issues can severely affect the integrity of a building, leading to structural damage and health concerns. Technicians in this field are essential for identifying, diagnosing, and rectifying these problems, ensuring homes and commercial properties remain safe and habitable. Their expertise enhances occupants’ quality of life, whilst protecting assets.
With rising awareness of damp-related issues and the demand for qualified professionals, our training programmes have become crucial, equipping individuals with the skills to tackle the challenges posed by damp and timber damage.
A comprehensive training programme
Earlier this month, the Board set out its mission and vision, and the three pillars which would drive its strategy over the next three years. Members frequently explain that high quality career progression, and finding new entrants to join their businesses, are the biggest challenges they face.
Following on from our damp and timber specialist applied skills programme (SAP), our technician training is ideal for those who are working within the sector. The course is designed so that technicians can feel assured and confident, applying the skills they have developed in practice. The two-day course provides an overview of:
- Getting on with the job: A client’s expectation
- Health & Safety – Assessments, PPE, labels, warning cards
- Penetrating Damp and Rising Damp – Theory and practical issues
- DPC installation
- Replastering – Materials and common mistakes
- Condensation – A brief explanation
- Timbers: Hardwood, softwood, heartwood, sapwood
- How to identify Wood boring insects – including Common Furniture Beetle, Death Watch Beetle, Wood Boring Weevil
- Woodworm treatment
- Fungal Decay, Timber Treatments – How to diagnose and repair dry rot and wet rot
- Basic timber repair discussion – brick pier, bolt-on joist ends
- Technician’s responsibility, additional works
- At the end of day two candidates will sit a multiple choice examination.
Testimonials from our technicians
The success of our training programme is best demonstrated through feedback from our technicians. Many have shared how their training transformed their careers:
Nick said: A good course for anybody in the built sector wanting further understanding of the causes and implications of damp.
Looking ahead
The demand for damp and timber technicians continues to rise, driven by growing awareness of the impact of moisture on health. As we expect to see Awaab’s Law implemented in social housing and the Renters’ Rights Bill in privately rented dwellings next year, there will be unprecedented demand for members’ services.
Although training our 1,000th damp and timber technician is a proud moment, it is by no means the end. Earlier this week, our Board reviewed our 2025 – 2027 strategy, which includes a commitment for our training syllabuses to be regularly reviewed, to ensure they continue to meet industry needs.
This highlights our commitment to quality, safety, and professionalism, ensuring that members can continue to protect homes and businesses from the adverse effects of dampness and timber decay.
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