Stephen Talbott, aged 20, has been working for Marlows in Bury St Edmunds for two years as a timber frame designer.

“My job offers something different every day, from dealing with architects to looking after my own site where houses I’ve helped to design are being built. My interest in timber started at school where I took an A2 in Design Technology, focusing on resistant materials. I also did work experience with a local firm of consulting engineers. I found my job with Marlows through the local Connexions service.

“I design the timber components which make the framework for new houses. I receive plans from architects showing how they want the building to look. I then design the arrangement of the timber components from sole plates to roof trusses to achieve the architect’s required results. If I’m designing a roof I have to measure the span from the plans, calculate the loadings and design the shape and layout of the roof trusses that will support it. There are engineers and more experienced staff here to help me with my career development. It usually takes about four months from receiving initial plans to seeing the buildings produced.

“I’ve learned a lot about timber products and I’ve had training on using design software like AutoCAD. I’m very happy doing what I do, and I think more publicity should be given to jobs in the timber sector. The pay is fine and in timber engineering there’s also good potential for increases.

“I wish more people could actually see the results of timber frame technology: it’s very impressive. Working with timber is also environment-friendly – our company is signed up to the Responsible Purchasing Policy of the Timber Trade Federation, which means we actively support sustainability.”