Course Summary
Sustainable Timber Technology is an exciting 4-year, full-time immersive course featuring a mix of theoretical and skills-based modules. It supports students in development of skills and knowledge that enable them to take on technical and managerial roles throughout the timber industry once graduated, including in sawmills and board mills, factories making timber construction, joinery and furniture, innovation and technical sales.
That breadth is unique in Ireland. The programme is well supported by industry. Placement takes place in Year 3.
During August 2024, applications are open for 'advanced entry' into Year 2 for academic year 2024-25. This is open to those with a craft certificate in a timber trade (sch as Wood Manufacturing & Finishing and Carpentry & Joinery) and graduates of NFQ Level 6 courses in Furniture Design and Making.
Applications to Year 2 may also be considered from graduates of other cognate apprenticeships, such as Cabinetmaking (no longer taught in Ireland) and cognate overseas apprenticeships and academic programmes of comparable quality.
Suitable applicants will be interviewed by the Programme’s Admissions Committee.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
To view Mature Entry requirements, or alternative requirements, please visit Qualifax or the Colleges' website
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
QQI / FET Links
Points Calculator for QQI Awards:
Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found HERE
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Career Progression
There are a wide of technologist and managerial roles available in the broad Timber Industry. The potential for career progression is strong. These roles include:
- Production management and technical roles in sawmills and board mills, and in joinery, cabinetry and timber frame businesses
- Technical and managerial roles in the drawing offices of joinery, cabinetry or timber frame businesses Technical and managerial roles in timber product development and process improvement
- Technical and managerial roles in quality assurance and compliance management
- Makers or restorers of beautiful timber artefacts in the tradition of cabinetmakers, furniture makers or joiners
- Craftworker-owner in a small timber workshop
- Specialist roles in timber drying and in wood preservation technology
- Technologist and researcher roles in timber laboratories of a large timber business or in a research and teaching institute
- Consultancy roles in inspection, specification and creation of technical reports
- Technical sales and marketing roles
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.