Update on delivering “Roots for Future Growth”. Autumn 2016. Andy Leitch

“Roots for Future Growth” update Refresh and re-launch “Roots for Future Growth” and report on progress of action plan. (Ongoing - Winter 2016) Sector skills action plan in final stages of completion (editing & design). (to be published ASAP) Outline that industry put in significant effort to agree Aims and objectives of RFFG, therefore important document and important that we review regularly and update objectives when required.

Focussing industry skills issues in one place. Skills: FTT Industry Leadership Group Skills Task Group activities to date Focussing industry skills issues in one place. Supporting and encouraging new “apprenticeship schemes”. Exploring alternative training schemes too. Updating new career map for sector. Developing and supporting an industry ambassador scheme. A small working group is exploring options for a revised harvester operator training scheme (FCS have committed funds to help pilot scheme). Introduce Steve and he will talk about SE led activities aimed at encouraging and facilitating growth in the forestry and Timber Technologies sector.

Add value to the supply chain: Project planning Been working closely with HIE to re-engage with forestry – currently in positive discussion with HIE abut supporting a number of projects. Been working with various people in industry identifying potential projects that can be supported by FCS, SE and/or HIE. Currently 22 proposals are being developed, which will be prioritised for funding. Give me a call if you are interested in particpating. In process of commissioning studies to look at market opportunities for manufacturing naillam, dowellam and glulam in Scotland and another on opportunities for manufacturing high value products based on nanocellulose from a Scottish based biorefinery.

Promotion and Communication: Sustainable Construction Timber 2nd edition (published June 2016). Recent CPD events on timber in construction in Glasgow and Edinburgh were well attended (194). Wood for Good “Modern Timber House” publication. (by Spring 2017) WoodWisdom conference, Edinburgh, 4th- 5th April 2017. Bulletin on wood properties and uses of Scots pine in Britain (by Xmas) Forest Research Note on timber properties of alternative species (imminent) Just commissioned a technical guidance on the viability of HG timber being used for solid timber engineered wood products.

Other things of interest. Publication of update of wood fibre supply and demand report raises some interesting questions: What are the barriers to accessing the wood fibre that is potentially available above predicted demand? How do we increase demand to match sustainable supply? Do we maximise wood fibre recovery from our current sites? Oxford University have submitted a proposal to BBSRC for funding for £1.5M project that will use genomics to improve performance of Sitka spruce. Industry supported and co-funded and in partnership with Canadian universities and FR. Meeting held yesterday in to discuss a National Tree Breeding strategy with the aim to increase private/public sector partnership in funding and delivering strategic tree breeding priorities. RIAS awards and Festival of Architecture. Agreed a new partnership with ZWS, A+DS, CSIC and BRE to fund Natural Material Library and to digitise content for remote access for students and construction professionals.

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