The first segment of the Timber Trade Federation’s online Academy programme was launched at the Federation’s Annual General Meeting in London last week.

The programme comprises CPD modules, videos and bite-sized courses in essential skills.

Two cohorts of students on TTF’s Institute of Sales Management-accredited courses are already using the Academy system for ‘blended learning’, combining online with face-to-face training.

TTF members can register at ttfacademy.com to access both free and paid-for content. Employers can manage their learners through the system and monitor their progress.

Short, inexpensive courses, in line with TTF’s commitment to affordable training for members’ staff, will include a variety of business-relevant topics ranging from an introduction to the new data regulation, GDPR, to equality and diversity.

The Level 3 Award in Timber Merchanting is available as a paid-for course through the TTF Academy.

New TTF content, being developed over the next six months, will include an introduction to timber, and will delve deeper into product categories such as hardwoods.

TTF Managing Director David Hopkins said: “The TTF Academy will be developed to offer our members exclusive content, not available elsewhere, specifically relevant to life in the timber trade today.

“We look forward to seeing members registering on the site and taking advantage of courses and materials as they become available.”

Mark Parrish, Managing Director of Cortexa, which is developing the Academy system for the TTF, added: “We are pleased to be working towards TTF’s stated aim of increasing the available range of timber training and education for the industry.

“We see the Academy as becoming a real asset for TTF members needing flexible training options for their staff.”