Visual Strength Grading - Softwood training course

A practical five-day course to grade softwood to the visual strength grades set out in BS 4978: 2007+A2:2017 'Visual strength grading of softwood. Specification'. 

Click here to book your place(s).

Through classroom based interactive learning, practical days spent in the timber yard and a practical examination, this course will provide delegates with: 

  • An introduction to timber, including the uses of strength graded timber 
  • The meaning of strength classes, an explanation of strength grading and the marking systems 
  • An understanding of the responsibilities of the grader and the grading company 
  • An introduction to the natural growth characteristics of wood using hand held samples 
  • Practical exercises grading lengths of softwood timber

The course also includes: 

  • Practical exercises 
  • A written test

You should attend this course if you:

  • Are involved in the selection and supply of softwood for structural use

Pre-course requirements

During the course, 3 metre lengths of timber will be handled on a daily basis.

All delegates must bring suitable clothing such as hi-vis vest/jacket and protective safety/footwear.

Delegates must also be aware of the correct manual handling techniques.


Course price per delegate - 
£1375 + VAT

2024 course dates

4-8 March, 24-28 June, 4-8 November

Make a booking

Click here to book your place(s)

Location - near High Wycombe, UK 

Please note: it is a legal requirement for all structural timber used in the UK to be strength graded, CE or UKCA marked and stamped in accordance with Annex ZA of BS EN 14081-1. In order to do this, companies that place strength graded timber on the market are required to join a certification scheme. Please contact us for further information.

Please note we also have a Refresher course aimed at graders whose registration to the Q-Mark VSG Scheme has lapsed for two years or more. Please see here for details.

Our Capabilities

BM TRADA is a certification body and training provider and does not provide any consultancy during public or private training. 

Although trainers will answer questions and provide information on best practices during the course, they do not provide specific consultancy, nor solutions or advice relating to organization issues.