Specialist courses

In advance of Autumn 1996 the Construction Industry Training Board training centre has developed specialist courses for plant mechanics working on access platforms and lift trucks.

As well as a new three-day course aimed at improving experienced operatives' understanding of electronic and electro-hydraulic systems associated with these machines, the Norfolk-based centre is also offering school leavers plant mechanic training for the same machines.

The cost of the three-day course for experienced operatives is œ210. Grants are available to any UK company registered for the levy with the CITB.

School leavers seeking to become plant mechanics attend a 34-week course at the residential college spread over two years, with periods of work experience with a plant hire company.

Trainees study basic mechanical engineering skills in the first year then specialise in the second year. The ultimate aim is to achieve National Vocational Qualification levels 2 and 3.

According to a CITB spokes-man: "A significant sum of money has been spent on Bircham Newton's training facilities to ensure trainees receive up-to-the-minute instruction."