News
CITB NI more flexible in their approach to industry training
As an Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council, CITB NI has the remit of encouraging training across the range of occupations within the Northern Ireland construction industry. The economic climate and the overall downturn in industry activity have meant a change in way people train and think about training. This has been reflected in the tiered grant system implemented by CITB NI to address the budget available and to make their support more effective and relevant to construction employers.
Tier 3 Grant is designed to help deliver industry needs where training is not viable or available in Northern Ireland. Training needs will be identified through research
and development along with industry feedback.
In 2012 a training need was identified through contact with members of NI Demolition Association (NIDA) who raised the introduction of the Asbestos (NI) Regulations 2012 as a major impact area, not just for the demolition businesses but any contractor who works with or comes across asbestos in the provision of their services.
It was therefore proposed to provide training and certification of a nationally recognised competence scheme for businesses who will contend with asbestos within their sphere of operations. The aim of the training was not only to improve health safety and develop new skills for participants and organisations that attend but also help increase profitability and widen the range of services that the business could provide.
184 participants undertook the first series of courses over 4 separate days in August & September 2013 and were awarded the UKATA Accredited Non Licenced Asbestos Removal Training Certificate of Competence and Achievement plus an identification card.
Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB NI said, “Working with asbestos is now more defined within the legislation and therefore increase opportunities to tender for work that others may be unable to consider due to staff competence and registration as an approved contractor. This project has met the needs of occupational competence and is in-line with the requirements of the recently introduced legislation. We are delighted that we reacted to a gap in the training market which facilitated the needs of the industry.”
For more information on Tier 3 grants contact David Cooper 028 824228.