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Now and in the future there will be more
emphasis put on the need to show that your staff are competent
to carry out the job. Experience counts for a lot, but if you
are working with new clients/contractors they will be unaware of
the level of competence of each staff member. Therefore there
are a number of ways to ensure that your staff are fully
competent in their role.
Construction Skills
Certification Scheme (CSCS)
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card is the
industry's biggest scheme that covers all the trades, and
supervisors and managers.
Most contractors and clients now demand that operatives on their
site are sufficiently capable to carry out their work. CSCS aims
to register every competent construction operative within the UK
not currently on a skills registration scheme.
Operatives will receive a registration card as evidence that
they possess the relevant skills and qualifications, and have
undergone Health and Safety awareness training or testing.
Visit the
CSCS website for more information.
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Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) scheme was
launched in 2003 with the aim of becoming the card scheme for
the plant industry.
Replacing the CTA scheme, CPCS is now the main standard for
plant operators, proving that they have the necessary
qualifications and experience, and have passed the Health and
Safety Test to operate plant safely.
The scheme is managed by a board of employers and members of
industry bodies such as the Construction Confederation, the
Construction Plant-Hire Association (CPA) and the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE). It is also part of the Construction
Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).
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On Site Assessment and
Training
On-site Assessment and Training (OSAT)
helps experienced workers get the qualifications to prove they
can do the job. It turns their existing skills and experience
into a nationally recognised qualification such as an NVQ or SVQ.
Having these qualifications also means that they will be
eligible for a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
card.
The whole process is carried out whilst your workforce is on
site so they don't have to take time off to go to college.
Companies, their staff and individuals are already seeing the
benefits of OSAT in their workplace. These include:
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helping your workers achieve vital skills
so they achieve CSCS cards quickly and easily
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taking account of existing skills so
workers only train towards the things they don't know how to do
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no downtime because it's carried out on
site
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being easier for employees for whom reading
or writing is difficult
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achieving qualifications to show to
potential customers
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more qualified and competent employees, who
do the job better, complete work faster, have fewer accidents,
and waste less time correcting mistakes
"OSAT confirms quality and competence in
the workplace. It also creates greater awareness of health and
safety issues. Ultimately the OSAT scheme generates a higher
quality and more employable workforce."
To find out more about how to start the above process, and what
grants are available to help support you, please contact the
OSAT co-ordinator for our area:
Paul Beharrell at
paul.beharrell@citb.co.uk
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Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships what are they?
An apprentice will train towards a National Vocational
Qualification (NVQ)/ Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in
their chosen occupation. These are nationally recognised,
competence based qualifications that prove standards of work
expected in industry have been met.
Training is undertaken both at college/training centre and on
site. There are two parts to gaining an NVQ/SVQ: college
training and assessment and work-based evidence gained on site.
Use the dropdown menu for more information on apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships are designed by business for business. Sector
Skills Councils composed of business representatives from the
relevant sector or industry decide on the course content within
their own sector. And because they genuinely understand your
business, the training will be relevant.
This means Apprenticeships offer your business relevant,
recognised qualifications because they have been developed by
people who genuinely understand what you do.
What are the
business benefits?
For an apprentice, an Apprenticeship isn't just a job; it's the
first step towards a long-term career. Your business could be
one of thousands across Britain that have benefited so far from
training an apprentice.
For more information on how Apprenticeships can work for you,
call 08000 150 400 for your free employer's pack.
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Improved productivity -
Apprenticeships equip young people with the
skills and knowledge to do the job better. And because they are
motivated they work harder and more effectively for your
business.
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Motivated people -
Apprentices are motivated people who are
keen to learn. By offering Apprenticeships you will find it
easier to recruit and retain able young people.
-
Relevant training -
Apprenticeships are designed by businesses
in your sector to meet the needs of your business. This means
the training is always relevant and it is tailored to the needs
of your sector by people who genuinely understand what you do.
-
Avoid skills shortages -
Apprenticeships allow you to invest in your
business's future. By taking on an apprentice you can acquire
specialist skills for your business that allow you to keep
abreast of new technology.
What is the process for getting an apprentice through the CITB?
Through the Construction Apprenticeship Scheme (CAS), we can
help you recruit the right people by screening potential
apprentices and administering a formal apprenticeship agreement
between you and your apprentice.
To take on an apprentice through the CITB-ConstructionSkills
Managing Agency, you must be registered and in-scope to
CITB-ConstructionSkills and have obtained:
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a Health and Safety check
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employer and Public Liability Insurance
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Upon registering the apprentice to CAS or
SBATC, a college place will be arranged.
As an employer you also have certain
responsibilities for your apprentice. To get the best from them,
you should agree an Individual Training Plan and:
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allow time for Learning so the apprentice
can attend off-the-job training
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provide opportunities for craft-related
work experience to develop their skills (they need proof of this
to meet the NVQ requirements)
-
meet minimum recommended pay rates for all
apprentices.
-
encourage the apprentice to undertake
further studies.
You will be required to carry out a company
induction at the start of employment. Details of what must be
included will be discussed with you by your
CITB-ConstructionSkills Apprenticeship Officer.
You must also appoint a least one Work Based Recorder to support
and guide your apprentice with evidence gathering and to verify
that standards have been met.
Companies must also comply with the requirements of the Health
and Safety at Work Act 1974. Apprentices must be given a
comprehensive health and safety induction.
Apprenticeship registration with the SBATC provides both the
employer and the individual with a formal contract, using a Deed
of Apprenticeship. This covers things such as employment,
structured training in the chosen occupation and a specified
period of apprenticeship.
Employers, apprentices and parents/guardians all sign the formal
Deed committing to each other for the period of training.
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Employer Training
Pilots - Further Information to follow shortly
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