Major training review launched

A major review of training has been launched by the Construction Industry Board. The review follows the report into the current state of training in the construction industry by Working Group 6, one of the 12 teams set up to implement specific recommendations in the Latham Report.

The new strategic review will focus on construction training in England and Wales at craft and operative level (CJ, 29 August). When it reports in February 1997, it is expected to recommend a range of improvements. In particular it will look at how training can help meet the goals of increased productivity, quality and a 30% cut in real construction costs.

The review will be chaired by John Carter, chief executive of Hepworth. IPRA and the University of Westminster will undertake the review, led by Professor Peter Senker. The review is being funded by the Department of the Environment and Department for Education and Employment.

Carter, who wants to encourage as many people as possible to contribute to the review, said: "We have to try and identify what the structure of the industry will be in a few years time and then train the skills base to meet that."

Working Group 6 chairman Hugh Try said that the move towards direct labout would have a fundamental effect on training. The Group identified several problems with the current state of training, among them the need for employers to have some time to take on board all the changes in training qualifications, before any further changes are made.

The Group chairman, Hugh Try, also commented: "The worry is that training is predominate among smaller contractors, while medium and large contractors have cut back heavily."