Strategic Forum puts emphasis on training

by Ross Pearman

The Strategic Forum is considering the formation of a new pan-industry training body to show the government it is committed to addressing the industry's skills shortage.

Still in its early stages, the organisation might consist of independent training organisations and higher education establishments, and would operate in addition to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board.

Construction and engineering are currently covered by separate training bodies. This is regarded by some industry pundits as being "too fragmented".

Parties keen to have their input into the formation of the training body include the National Federation of Builders and the Federation of Master Builders, neither of which are represented on the Forum. Both are working on reskilling initiatives. The CITB is believed to have made inquiries into what role it can play.

"Construction minister Brian Wilson made it clear at a meeting with Forum members that training and reskilling workers is high on the agenda of the new Forum," said an industry source. "This is probably one of the key conditions for the Forum to get the green light from the Department of Trade & Industry as it steps back from its previous role."

However, the source added that a few members of the Forum are unhappy with the number of voices on the Forum. "There is a feeling that too many voices might take away the impact of the Forum's objectives. Already we have seen objections to the disbanded members of the Constructors Liaison Group getting extra seats."

l The Forum's choice of chairman, Stanhope's Peter Rogers, has been given the thumbs up by Wilson. Rogers' appointment should be agreed by all Forum members later this month.