ITC-SA prepares for dormancy

The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), South Africa’s professional body for the engineered timber construction industry, announced its resolution of dormancy as of 1 November 2019.

The institute was established more than 45 years ago to help formalise and advance the timber roof construction industry and protect its consumers.

This resolution was formally agreed upon at a recent board meeting held in Isando, Gauteng, and comes on the back of protracted talks with various stakeholders regarding sustainable funding avenues to support the work of the ITC-SA into the future.

“In the past, a compulsory membership system was in place, whereby all licensed fabricators were required to hold membership with the ITC-SA to ensure the continued self-regulation of the engineered timber construction industry in South Africa,” says Amanda Obbes, ITC-SA general manager. “However, over the past two years, this membership has become voluntary; coupled with a struggling economy, this has set member support in this critical field into decline. Without the full support of all stakeholders, the Institute cannot adequately serve its membership as it has done in the past, through technical standards, auditing and inspection procedures and processes developed over the past 46 years,” she explains.

“This resolution comes as a major blow, not only to the Institute as a critical and essential custodian of the engineered timber construction sector, but to its many members who actively pursue excellence in the built environment through world-class timber construction, roofing and decking,” says Obbes, concluding, “Engineered timber construction remains a viable and intelligent choice in roofing and construction; however without an entity enforcing high standards and protecting the consumer, the future of quality timber roofing and construction in South Africa is uncertain.”

NOTE: As part of its dormancy strategy, the ITC-SA’s website and social media channels will be closed on 31 October 2019. Events and training scheduled for the balance of the year, as outlined below, will continue as planned.

Workshop: Understanding Timber Roof Inspections | Cape Town | 22-24 October 2019
Workshop: Building Regulations & Standards of Timber Roof Trusses | Gansbaai, Cape Town | 7 November 2019
Estimator Designer Course | Ends 15 November 2019

The ITC-SA trademark and all intellectual property will be preserved by the Institute’s auditors and therefore the logo must be removed from all members’ documentation by 1 November 2019 and may not be duplicated or used in any way or form.