FREE NVQs FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS SET TO CONTINUE UNTIL 2014 Funding has been secured to allow construction workers to gain an NVQ level 2 for free up until March 2014. The ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ project was launched last year and provided qualifications to those already working in the construction industry but who were not formally qualified. The project is a joint initiative between CITB-ConstructionSkills NI and the Joint Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry (NI) was funded by the Department for Employment and Learning and this funding has been extended for a further 12 months. Barry Neilson, Chief Executive CITBConstructionSkills NI said, “We are delighted that the project will continue into 2014, it is a great opportunity for construction employees to be properly qualified and be ahead of the game. Approximately 9,000 people currently working in the sector are not qualified to the appropriate standard. 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. We encourage construction workers to sign up and claim their free qualification not only to help themselves but also the local industry.” Nine assessment centres have been awarded the contract to assess the candidates across the whole of Northern Ireland. 37 occupations are available through the project ranging from brick laying to wall & floor tiling. Registration is currently open. There are three routes available for obtaining the qualification (portfolio building, on-site assessment and experienced worker). For full details of on qualifications available and a list of the assessment centres log on to www.citbcsni.org.uk and follow the links for Free NVQ’s or call CITB-ConstructionSkills NI on 028 9082 5466.
HOUSING STRATEGY ACTION PLAN LAUNCHED Nelson McCausland, the Minister for Social Development, recently published an Action Plan which puts into effect his Department’s Housing Strategy which was the subject of a consultation process in 2012. The Action Plan contains 33 separate proposals to deliver decent, affordable and sustainable homes in Northern Ireland over the five year period 2012 – 2017. Some of the proposals in the action plan have already begun to be implemented such as harmonisation of standards for social housing construction with those used for private development and the introduction and review of the effectiveness of social clauses in housing procurement. Other significant proposals include: • The establishment of a Housing Supply Forum to identify ways to increase the supply of housing; • The development of shared community housing schemes to remove barriers to shared communities; •The development of a new strategic approach to support the repair and improvement of the private sector housing stock; • Continuing to monitor market conditions with a view to developing options for the implementation of developer contributions; • The Action Plan can be downloaded at http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/facing-the-futureaction-plan.pdf
Courses & seminars programme AUGUST 2013 - DECEMBER 2013 Course/Seminar Title
Date(s)
Duration
EU Timber Regulations
12 Sep
2 hrs
Invasive Species Identification & Management
3 Oct
2 hrs
Spill Kit Training
9 Oct
2 hrs
SuDS - What you need to know
10 Oct
3 hrs
Environmental Sustainability
Sustainability Monitoring, Measurement & Action
6 Nov
2 hrs
Extracting Maximum Value from Your Waste
26 Nov
2 hrs
How to Write Winning PQQs (am)
24 Sept
½ day
Winning PQQs Masterclass (pm)
24 Sept
½ day
Success at Tender Interview
16 Oct
1 day
Quality Submissions - Substance & Style
5 Nov
½ day
Strategic Marketing
5 Nov
½ day
Bonds & Collateral Warranties
17 Sept
2 hrs
NEC3 Compensation Events
19 Sept
2 hrs
Adjudication - Making it Work
22 Oct
2 hrs
10 Dec
1 day
Essential Health & Safety for Managers
29 Aug & 5 Sept
2 days
Essential Health & Safety for Senior Executives
30 Aug
½ day
Essential Health & Safety for Managers’ Refresher
6 Sept
½ day
Winning Work
In Contract
Business Improvement Creating Effective Construction Teams Health and Safety
Essential Health & Safety for Senior Executives
20 Sept
½ day
Essential Health & Safety for Managers’ Refresher
11 Oct
½ day
Essential Health & Safety for Senior Executives
18 Oct
½ day
Behavioural Based Safety Programme
Early Nov (TBC)
3 days
Essential Health & Safety for Managers
7 & 14 Nov
2 days
Essential Health & Safety for Managers’ Refresher
8 Nov
½ day
Essential Health & Safety for Senior Executives
15 Nov
½ day
Essential Health & Safety for Senior Executives
11 Dec
½ day
Essential Health & Safety for Managers’ Refresher
13 Dec
½ day
Please visit our Events Calendar at www.cefni.co.uk for further information on forthcoming courses/seminars. We would be pleased to discuss any other management or professional training requirements you might have. For further information phone 028 9087 7141 or e-mail cfts@cefni.co.uk
The Construction Employers Federation is responsible for supplying the editorial content of the CEF News section. The Federation does not purport to have any editorial input to the remainder of Specify magazine.
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Tel: 028 9087 7143
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www.cefni.co.uk