College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Mass Timber

Research

Preparing the Mass Timber Workforce of the Future

Collaborative Research: Enhancing Design and Construction Technology Education Through Context of Mass Timber 

Funding - $648,000 National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Grant

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2203123.

Description 

As demand for mass timber continues to grow in the United States, architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry employees need early-career technicians prepared to support their mass timber projects. By working with educators in 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities across the country, along a technical advisory council comprising AEC industry leaders, the project team will develop mass timber design, engineering, and construction curriculum to provide students in these disciplines with the knowledge and training they need to bring mass timber expertise to their future AEC industry employers. By designing the curriculum as modules, the project team will enable educators to drop mass timber content into their existing courses. In addition, the project will use virtual and augmented reality technology to simulate hands-on and in-person interactions for students in areas where mass timber structures do not yet exist.  

Project Objectives 

• Assess and improve alignment among curricula, certifications, student learning opportunities, and employer requirements related to mass timber 
• Conduct job/occupational analysis for mass timber-related technician positions 
• Develop national capacity for mass timber-related program performance and development   

Project Updates 

The National Science Foundation gives MSU $650K to develop mass timber

Team Kicks off Mass Timber Curriculum Development Project at NSF Conference

Project Team 

• Chad Richert, MA, AIA, Principal Investigator, Henry Ford College 

• George H. Berghorn, PhD, Principal Investigator, Michigan State University 

• Linda Nubani, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator, Michigan State University 

• Sandra Lupien, MPP, Senior Project Personnel, Michigan State University 

• Brandon Brooks, MBA, PMP, Senior Project Personnel, WoodWorks 

Education Partners/Regions  

The project engages regional coordinators to help support curriculum development by contributing regionally specific expertise and geographically diverse project case studies.  

Technical Advisory Committee 

A group of AEC industry leaders comprise a Technical Advisory Committee that provides guidance to the project team by offering access to data and case studies, and ensuring the project and curriculum align with industry needs. 

• Hannes Blaas, CEO, Rothoblaas USA, Inc. 
• William Bofysil, Senior Project Manager, Granger Construction  
• David Kwiatkowski, Project Executive, CD Smith Construction  
• Doug Maibach, PE, Chairman, Barton Malow Enterprises  
• Steven Nellis, President and CEO, Am. Council for Const. Ed.  
• Douglas Peters, PE, President, Christman Building Innovation Group  
• Michael Ratliff, Director of Preconstruction & Commercial, Timberlyne  
• David Robson, Group Vice President, Walbridge  
• Erica Spiritos, VP & Preconstruction Manager, Timberlab, Inc.  
• Jeff Spiritos, Principal, Spiritos Properties, LLC  
• Brandon Sundberg, AIA, Senior Vice President, Integrated Design Solutions 

Fact Sheet

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Disclaimer

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.