ESG AND NET ZERO TARGETS

into one jig as a test and the results were astounding, saving 90% of the energy usage of the machine. Through R&D, we’ve now got this technology working extremely efficiently, with a cut-out timer down to just 10 seconds of inactivity. It’s been so successful, we’ve rolled the technology out and fitted it to the rest of the jigs across all ten DTE sites, and it has influenced the entire truss industry, with the technology available to other manufacturers too.

One thing that has become clear to us, is that when we talk about ‘zero carbon’, we need to think about the cradle to grave impact of the business and the unintended consequences along the way. Our technical teams are working on a big exercise – interrogating areas that can be improved and considering not just our business, but our subcontractors and supply chain. It’s a huge job, but only by taking responsibility for every possible angle can we be sure that we’re truly playing our part in reducing the environmental impact across the entire industry. www.donaldson-group.co.uk

Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS), has partnered with West Herts College to offer an apprenticeship programme in support of the next generation of talent in the construction industry for timber frame construction. The partnership originated with DTS’ appointment to the Hertfordshire OSM framework, which included the commitment to engage with the local College. The 2.5-year programme was open to students on the College’s Level 2 City and Guilds carpentry course.

The apprenticeship will include four days per week on-site, delivered by one of DTS’ service level agreement partners, Bedfordshire-based S.E. Carpentry. One day per week the apprentices will attend the College to work on in-class modules, including an additional module that will focus on modern methods of construction (MMC) for timber frame that was developed in partnership with DTS. This covers an understanding of construction technology, health and safety – an introduction to MMC and understanding construction information, materials and the installation process, together with site / project communications.

While there are some barriers to what we can currently influence, we’re fortunate that the core part of our business is a sustainable one. Most ESG strategies focus on people, planet and process, but ours also includes product – celebrating the renewable, carbon sink building product that our business was built on and that we feel so passionately about. The future of the sustainable construction industry is timber, and we’re proud to be playing a part in it.

Simon Horn, Technical Development Manager at DTS, said: “Supporting skills development in the next generation is crucial to the ongoing evolution of the UK construction industry, and is something we’re committed to at DTS, so working with the College to grow and support talent was a great fit. This apprenticeship programme is a pilot project for DTS and is something we would like to roll out in more areas, with more partners, in time. We’re aiming to provide real opportunities and increase motivation, while simultaneously helping to fill the skills gap in our industry.”

Sian Williams, Curriculum Director at West Herts College, added: “We’re excited to partner with DTS on this programme to give our learners an opportunity to receive hands-on training and develop their understanding of MMC. It has been fantastic to work closely with DTS to develop MMC modules that incorporate new design and technologies that enable our learners to gain the most current and update knowledge and skills linking into a variety of curriculum courses.”