CITB and LSC in move to qualify 10,000 workers

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) are today (Wednesday) launching a joint initiative to increase the number of qualified workers in the UK construction industry. 

The £9m LSC funded project, initially running in 10 areas, will assess and qualify 10,000 construction employees through the CITB's On-site Assessment and Training (OSAT) programme by July 2004. The pilot will then be expanded, to train and assess much higher numbers over the next five years.

The project will focus on the On-Site Assessment and Training of experienced construction industry employees aged over 25 to NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 which will be achieved using an extra 275 assessors.

The £9m will fund the development of a series of regional networks comprising CITB OSAT advisors, local LSCs, local colleges, training providers and employers tasked with delivering on-site assessment and training quickly and effectively. 

The networks cover 10 areas of England and by using a partnership approach that involves a wide range of training providers they will be flexible and responsive in meeting the varied craft training and assessment needs of local employers.

Each network will have a single point of contact for companies who require on-site assessment and training to ensure that enquiries are dealt with efficiently. 

The project is ground-breaking in that it focuses LSC funding on employed adult workers in the workplace and it delivers the industry's ambition to up-skill adult workers to a minimum standard.