Registration is now open for 500 free NVQ places within the construction industry.
The Qualifying the Existing Workforce project aims to train 500 currently unqualified, experienced, employed construction workers to NVQ Level 2, helping to increase productivity and meet the industry’s skills challenge.
The project is a joint initiative by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), CITB-ConstructionSkills NI and the Joint Council for the Building & Civil Engineering Industry.
Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI said: “The essence of Qualifying the Existing Workforce project is to address the skills levels required for the industry now and in the future.
Approximately 9,000 people currently working in the sector are not qualified to the appropriate standard. We encourage construction workers to sign up and claim their free training not only to help themselves but also the local industry.”
Ten assessment centres have been awarded the contract to train and assess the candidates across the province. The occupations range from bricklaying to wall and floor tiling and registration is open for all occupations.
This scheme is open to private sector construction employers. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK and must not have an existing Level 2 or equivalent qualification.
There are three routes available for the qualification including: Portfolio Building, On Site Assessment and Experienced Worker.
Christopher McSorley is the project’s first graduate, achieving NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations (Construction) Excavating Plant through the Experienced Worker Practical Assessment route. He works with Co Tyrone company McKinney Plant & Safety.
Supporting the project Dr Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning said: “It is vital that employers and their staff continue to train through these challenging economic times and this is particularly important for the construction sector. “Around 80% of the 2020 workforce are already in employment. If we are to be globally competitive, we must enhance the skills of our people at all levels.
Through the Qualifying the Existing Workforce project, we will help upskill those working in this sector ensuring we have a better skilled workforce which will assist to drive this industry and our economy forward.”
For full details, a list of assessment centres and occupations available, and to find out more about registering, visit the Qualifying the ExistingWorkforce (QEW) page at www.citbcsni.org.uk or call 028 9082 5466.