NextLevelWood: Professionalization and innovation in timber construction

31.03.2025

Source: Cluster-Initiative Forst und Holz in Bayern gGmbH

Timber construction is booming, especially for large-volume projects. But as demand increases, so do the challenges: Capacities need to be expanded, skilled workers trained and planning processes optimized.

Many traditional construction companies are expanding their portfolios, but without sufficient professionalization there is a risk of quality losses.

This is precisely where the cross-border NextLevelWood project comes in: It aims to improve quality and sustainability in timber construction and increase confidence in this construction method. The Tyrol and Bavaria regions face common challenges, including environmental and climate protection, resource management, a shortage of skilled workers, economic cooperation and technological innovations.

Project content and objectives

NextLevelWood addresses these challenges with several core measures:

• Development of a professional profile for timber construction planners: a new skills profile is being created that combines technical and planning skills and takes regional characteristics into account. Companies and education and training institutions are actively involved in the development process.
• Training and further education programs: New training formats are being developed to provide specialists with targeted qualifications in modern timber construction planning techniques.
• Digital tools for timber construction planning: The development of a digital planning configurator and a VR application is intended to support training and make complex construction processes tangible.
• Establishment of a "timber construction planning network": A platform for the transnational exchange of specialists and companies will be established.
• Strategic cooperation with decision-makers: The implementation of new standards will be facilitated through the active involvement of entrepreneurs and political actors.

Support from INTERREG

The NextLevelWood project is financially supported by the INTERREG VI-A Bavaria - Austria 2021-2027 program. This will actively strengthen the sustainable and innovation-driven timber construction culture in the region.

With NextLevelWood, timber construction is being made fit for the future - through quality, innovation and cross-border cooperation.

Further information can be found on the website of the Forestry and Wood Cluster Initiative in Bavaria.