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Component Manufacturing dverti$ dverti $ er
By Christopher Gould
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
July 2021 #13264 Page #112
Adverti$$er
10 Must-Have Traits for Entry-Level Truss Designers
W
ith the economy in the United States on the rebound, truss designers are in unusually high demand. Unlike other professionals in the building industry, a truss designer is not required (at present) to have any formal education or any type of college degree. Fact is, there is presently nowhere in the world that an entry-level designer can go to be taught the skills needed to perform. There is no uniform standard of comprehensive requirements. The education comes from good old-fashioned “OJT” (On the Job Training). This OJT is totally the component manufacturer’s expense. You may be thinking: How can this be? These individuals are specifying structural building components! So the question becomes: Where will future truss and building component designers come from? A good component designer is a rare breed. An exceptional one is even rarer. A wide variety of skills are needed to perform successfully. Of course, they need the usual skills that all employed professionals need, such as punctuality, professionalism, integrity, loyalty, good work ethic, etc. This article will not address the “usual suspects,” rather only the specific traits needed in a very unique job description. This is the “Top 10” list of required traits that I look for in potential candidates, in no specific order.
Math Skills Math is essential to truss and building component
design. Geometry, algebra, trigonometry are all used on a daily basis. “Truss math,” as it is referred to, can make or break a designer. From reading architectural plans in feet-inches-sixteenths, to solving an unknown plane, to calculating a heel height, to load transfer, math is a critical skill requirement.
Ability to See in 3D In my opinion, seeing in 3D is a skill that cannot be taught. Either you have it or you don’t. You need to be able to look at the architectural plans and be able to see what is happening and identify areas of concern. Experience can teach WHAT to look for, but it cannot teach HOW you see it.
Work Experience The most sought-after entry-level designers are those who have worked in a manufacturing production facility, framed houses, or have drawn plans. They already possess the basic knowledge of terminology, material specifications, and spatial visualization. While this is not a requirement, it certainly speeds up the process and therefore lowers the overall cost of professional development.
Creativity With the complexity of building designs on the rise, creativity is a huge asset. Each design has a unique aspect to it and a little creativity can go a long way in helping to make the cost lower. We have all heard the saying, “There is more than one way to skin a cat,” well the same is true for framing a building. Continued next page
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