Wood for Youth academy
ABOUT
Wood for Youth aims to enhance the competitiveness of young individuals in the woodhouse sector through interactive training programs and practical guidance. Given the challenges of reducing carbon footprint and increasing efficiency, the traditional construction sector is evolving. Our response to this challenge is to embrace more industrial construction processes and prioritize the use of wood.
This is precisely why the Wood for Youth study program is centered on industrialized wooden construction. We have curated four comprehensive study modules into following specialization: production of prefabricated buildings, erection and completion of prefabricated buildings, design and management.
The learning modules are presented as a series of video lectures, showcasing industry best practices. These videos are mainly featuring film clips of work processes, supplemented by animations and 3D models. Interactive elements such as intermediate test tasks and exercises, including drag-and-drop activities and both 2D and 3D tasks, are added to engage learners actively.
The primary goal of Wood for Youth is to provide students and continuing education learners with a comfortable learning environment and additional opportunities for career development. This program enables learners to choose their own pace and schedule for completing lessons, thereby allowing them to expand their career prospects.
Study modules
Course focuses on different industrial buildings methods and specifics in the production of the 2D elements and volumetric elements.
The use of elements in different building types (element, modular, hybrid construction, renovation) is examined and the specifics of site works are described in more detail.
These topics give a detailed overview what are the requirements and possibilities when designing prefabricated timber buildings. Fire safety, acoustics, technical systems, energy efficiency and low-carbon construction topics are included.
Course focuses on different management stages in industrialized construction – production, project management, transition to digitalization and human resource management.
Values
The student has acquired significant expertise in the construction of prefabricated wooden houses, encompassing the manufacturing and designing of elements to construction planning at the work site.
The content of the study program has been valued among woodhouse factories (employers) in Estonia, Finland and Latvia. Graduates have gained competitive advantage and are highly regarded employees in the sector.
Requirements and necessary documentation for course completion
The course can be completed by any individual aged 18 or above who has an interest in the field of prefabricated timber buildings. Individual aged 18 and above can go trough the theoretical (online course) and practical (internship) parts.
Individuals aged 16-17 can go trough the theoretical (online) studies and accordingly the study volume credit points will be issued.
Project partners:
The course content and completion have been accepted by the following partners:
News and events
Production of prefabricated buildings
The production module focuses on different industrial buildings methods and specifics in the production of the 2D elements and volumetric elements. The line principle of the production and the specific work that needs to be done in the factory are explained in more detail. There are also lessons about how to make the communications (heating, water, electricity) and what are different connection methods. Course includes also internship in the factory.
- The theoretical part will be carried out fully online.
- After passing the module, the knowledge is checked using a test questionnaire and student can enroll for internship.
Study objectives
- Student understands the entire lifecycle of industrialized construction – from initial sales and design stages to project management, procurement, production, logistics, erection, construction site management, and warranty procedures.
- Student has the knowledge of the principles of line production and automation, including handling incoming materials, storage practices, and quality control measures throughout the production process.
- Student has developed proficiency in quality control and assurance techniques to ensure the reliability and durability of manufactured products.
- Student has gained proficiency in optimizing construction processes to enhance efficiency and minimize environmental impact, focusing on sustainable practices and resource management.
For whom?
- 0 COMPETENCE level – no previous experience needed
- VOCATIONAL SCHOOL level – with basic knowledge
Specialization I – production
Introduction
Introduction in factorySales, design, project management, procurement, production, logistics, erection and construction site, warranty
Principles of line production, automation
Incoming materials and storage
Production logic from materials precutting to readymade product (including CNC, quality control and safety)
Quality control and assurance
Production of elements
2D elements on a wooden frame2D elements based on CLT
Wooden frame module (volumetric) elements
Hybrid module (volumetric) elements
Wet rooms (volumetric)
Weather protection, storage
Other
Windows, doors, balconies, gangways etcCommunications in wooden constructions
Heating, water, ventilation, sewerage
Lifting
Moisture protection
Cargo specifics
Erection and completion of prefabricated buildings
The construction module focuses on the transportation and on the ways of erecting prefabricated elements on the construction sites. The use of elements in different building types (element, modular, hybrid construction, renovation) is examined and the specifics of site works are described in more detail. During the internship, construction sites will be visited.
This module is available for students who have successfully completed production module online. In meaning that this course includes theoretical parts of production module.
- The theoretical part will be carried out fully online.
- After passing the module, the knowledge is checked using a test questionnaire and student can enroll for internship.
Study objectives
- Student has mastered the techniques for erecting both element and modular buildings, including measures to protect elements against moisture.
- Student understands fire safety and security requirements onsite relevant to prefabricated buildings, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards to enhance occupant safety.
- Student has acquired knowledge of facade works, roofing works, and plinth works associated with prefabricated buildings, including installation techniques and quality standards.
- Student has acquired knowledge about quality control and assurance procedures to maintain high standards throughout the erection and completion process, ensuring the durability and reliability of the finished structures.
From whom?
- 0 COMPETENCE level – no previous experience needed
- VOCATIONAL SCHOOL level – with basic knowledge
- Completing PRODUCTION module online course – please note that this course requires for students to go trough theoretical part of production module.
Specialization II – Erection and completion of prefabricated buildings
Preliminary work
Work safetyPre-construction site inspection
Transportation, storage and lifting
Erection and completion
Erection of an element buildingErection of a modular building
Installation of facade elements for hybrid construction
Installation of facade elements for renovation
Other
Roofing worksFacade works
Fire safety
Quality control and assurance
Design of prefabricated timber buildings
Design module goes in depth with buildings physics related to timber construction and is intended mainly for young people, who are interested in a deeper knowledge of prefabricated timber buildings or who intend to continue their studies in higher education. Module provides a detailed overview what are the requirements and possibilities when designing prefabricated timber buildings. Fire safety, acoustics, technical systems, energy efficiency and low-carbon construction topics are included. Within the framework of topics, simpler tasks can be solved and various situations occurred in practice are analyzed.
This module is available for students who have successfully completed production and erection and completion module online. In meaning that this course includes theoretical parts of previous study modules: production and erection and completion of prefabricated buildings.
- The theoretical part will be carried out fully online.
- After passing the module, the knowledge is checked using a test questionnaire and student can enroll for internship.
Study objectives
- Student has gained comprehensive knowledge of Eurocodes and their significance in the design and implementation of timber structures.
- Student understands the mechanical properties of timber, such as moisture content and environmental aspects, and their impact on structural design.
- Student has developed an expertise in the design and production of wooden elements, including walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, balconies, and gangways, considering sustainability, environmental aspects, and structural requirements.
- Student has acquired knowledge about low-carbon construction practices, life cycle analysis in industrial wood construction, energy efficiency regulations, and tools for energy efficiency calculations to promote sustainable development and resource efficiency.
For whom?
- BACHELOR students
- PROFESSIONAL
- Completing PRODUCTION and ERECTION AND COMPLETION modules online courses – please note that this course requires for students to go trough theoretical parts of previous study modules: production and erection and completion of prefabricated buildings.
Hea teada
Principles of designing timber buildings
Implementation standardsDifferences from onsite designing
Production design
Design of prefabricated wooden buildings
Design of element buildingDesign of modular building
Design of prefabricated wooden elements in hybrid construction and renovations
Design of technical systems
Other
Fire safetyAcoustics in wooden buildings
Energy efficiency
Low-carbon construction
Management in industrialized construction
Management module is intended mainly for young people, who are interested in a deeper knowledge of building constructions or who intend to continue their studies in higher education. Course focuses on different management stages in industrialized construction – production, project management, transition to digitalization and human resource management. Within the framework of topics, simpler tasks can be solved and various situations occurred in practice are analyzed.
This module is available for students who have successfully completed production and erection and completion module online. In meaning that this course includes theoretical parts of previous study modules: production and erection and completion of prefabricated buildings.
- The theoretical part will be carried out fully online.
- After passing the module, the knowledge is checked using a test questionnaire and student can enroll for internship.
Study objectives
- Student nderstands procurement management, including types of procurement, purchasing strategies, and demonstrate knowledge of project initiation, planning, execution, and closure phases, including forms of works contracts, procurement of materials, building permits, and documentation processes
- Can identify future trends and innovations in digital construction and explore various types of technologies such as software, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, and robots.
- Student understands Human Resource Management (HRM) and knows how to effectively manage workplace relations, deal with employee motivation- including handling challenging situations and self-management.
- Student understand process planning techniques, demonstrates knowledge of quality control, certification, and warranty processes and is able to analyze overall process efficiency using Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles, as well as lean-thinking methodologies.
For whom?
- BACHELOR students
- PROFESSIONAL
- Completing PRODUCTION and ERECTION AND COMPLETION modules online courses – please note that this course requires for students to go trough theoretical parts of previous study modules: production and erection and completion of prefabricated buildings.
Hea teada
Management in production
Process planningQuality control, certification, warranty
Overall process efficiency, DfM and DfA, lean-thinking
Project management processes
Project management conceptsSales management
Purchase management
Project initiation phase
Project planning phase
Project execution phase
Project closure phase
Other
Managing transition to digital constructionHuman resource management in practice