WoodSolutions Supports Competitions for Timber Engineering
FWPA’s WoodSolutions program is proud to support two prestigious competitions that provide opportunities for Australian students and early-career engineers to engage with world-leading timber engineering research. These initiatives offer Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) member companies a strategic advantage by fostering the next generation of experts and advancing timber’s role in the built environment, which is strongly aligned with FWPA’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.
Connecting Future Leaders with Global Timber Innovation
The competitions, which culminate in attendance at the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) 2025, offer an exclusive platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and exposure to cutting-edge developments in timber design and sustainability.
WoodSolutions Australian Timber Design Competition
Entries have now closed for the 2025 Australian Timber Design Competition, and the competition is well underway, with more than 30 students competing. This initiative fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, with teams assigned by the organising committee to tackle contemporary challenges in timber engineering. Participants have already engaged with two insightful webinars featuring cultural leader Uncle Craig Egert and Australian Olympian and timber engineer Jack McLoughlin, gaining valuable perspectives on cultural connections to Country, engineering excellence, and the athlete’s experience in the Olympic Village. The competition continues to push the boundaries of innovation in structural performance, sustainability, and design.
Early-Career Engineer Competition by the Gottstein Trust
Engineers at the early stage of their professional careers have a unique opportunity to secure one of six fully paid conference places, sponsored by the Gottstein Trust. This initiative ensures that emerging professionals gain access to world-leading research, industry leaders, and international best practices. Applications for this competition close at midnight on March 30th, 2025.
How These Competitions Benefit You
Participation in these competitions translates into tangible benefits for FWPA member companies, reinforcing timber’s position as a leading material in construction. Key advantages include:
- Access to Cutting-Edge Research: Winners will bring back insights from the world’s foremost timber engineering experts, driving innovation within the Australian industry.
- Talent Development & Industry Growth: By supporting student and early-career professional engagement, these competitions cultivate skilled timber engineers who contribute to our sector’s long-term success.
- Enhanced Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: The competitions foster connections between academia and industry, ensuring the latest advancements in timber technology are effectively translated into practice.
- Global Industry Engagement: Attendance at the WCTE 2025 in Brisbane offers exposure to international projects, case studies, and strategies that can be leveraged to strengthen Australia’s timber industry.
Join the Movement to Advance Timber in Construction
WoodSolutions’ involvement in these competitions underscores its commitment to empowering the next generation of timber professionals. By providing access to WCTE 2025, these initiatives support the industry’s growth, ensuring that FWPA member companies remain at the forefront of timber innovation.
“WoodSolutions has a strong history of supporting students to attend international WCTE events, with many past recipients still actively engaged in the timber industry today,” said Kevin Peachey, Head of Built Environment Programs at FWPA.
He continued, “These alumni continue to contribute to advancements in timber engineering, sustainability, and construction, helping to shape the future of the built environment.”
For more information on these competitions and how they contribute to the future of timber engineering, visit WoodSolutions.
