Housebuilders get training aid

A new training consultancy service for housebuilders is being launched by the National House-Building Council (NHBC). It aims to help housebuilding companies set up effective training and development plans. Approved company plans are expected to win grant aid from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Rob Lockey, NHBC training services manager, said: "Staff training and development is most effective when properly structured and supported. This is where our consultancy service comes in. Working with our housebuilder clients we can carry out skills audits and identify areas for development before organising company-wide training programmes.

"The CITB recognises a structured approach is the best way forward. It has proposed that its grants scheme moves towards supporting this type of training and development scheme."

The NHBC has published a prospectus of available training courses. These include bespoke courses, management and technical programmes, NVQ qualifications and an MSC distance-learning course at Nottingham Trent University.