Two London sites identified to meet 2012 construction training needs

Two sites in East London have been identified as potential locations for new training centres to provide urgently needed skills to meet the demands associated with the 2012 Olympics, Thames Gateway and other local developments.

CITB-ConstructionSkills is giving priority to a site at Eton Manor in Waltham Forest where it is hoped to start delivering plant training this Autumn.

A further training facility for specialist building skills is planned for what is known as the Sanofi-Aventis site in Dagenham. Here it is thought training could start next January with the facility becoming fully operational by June, 2008.

The training board says the local biggest training needs are for plant operatives and mechanics as well as glaziers, roofers, scaffolders, and steel erectors. A strong demand is also expected for health and safety training, and for supervisory and management training.

Urgent discussions are being pursued with the Olympic Development Agency, the London Development Agency, and local authorities on advancing the planned east London training centre, particularly as regards site acquisition and funding of infrastructure.