Young Engineers Benefit from WIDE Trust Grants
WoodWorks NZ conference brings together experts in the use of wood in commercial and multi-residential buildings to share insights and best practices. After hosting successful conferences since 2016, either in the North Island or virtually, the first conference ran in Christchurch at the end of March.
One of the highlights of the event was the sponsorship of five young graduates from construction and consulting companies by the WIDE Trust. Cameron Douglas and Emma O’Neil, Structural Engineers from PTL Consultants; Ben Hawken and Mariette Devereux, Structural Engineers from GHD; and William Roberts, Quantity Surveyor from Logic Group, were all supported by the Trust to attend the conference.
Mariette Devereux, one of the sponsored attendees, shared her thoughts on the event: “It was my first opportunity as a young engineer to attend an external conference, and I am thankful that the WIDE Trust supported me in this endeavour. The value I gained from this experience included opportunities to network with others in the industry that have a shared interest in mass timber, talk to representatives from engineered timber suppliers (and see some of their products first-hand) as well as hear from a number of experts across different roles and their experience using mass timber in projects. One of the highlights for me was listening to senior structural engineers discuss their key ‘rules of thumb’ when using mass timber in design, enabling me to share these insights with my colleagues for our future involvement in mass timber projects.”
The conference brought together architects, project managers, designers, fit-out specialists, quantity surveyors, BIM specialists, and engineers, all with a shared interest in growing the capability and use of wood in commercial and multi-residential buildings throughout our cities. The event was a sell-out success, with attendees gaining valuable insights, networking opportunities, and exposure to the latest developments in the use of mass timber.
The WoodWorks NZ conference is an important platform for sharing knowledge and best practices in the use of wood in construction. As the construction industry continues to seek more sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials, events like this will play a crucial role in advancing the use of wood in commercial and multi-residential buildings. The WIDE Trust's sponsorship of young graduates is also a valuable initiative, helping to nurture the next generation of industry leaders and innovators.