Onward and upward: training body expands through the pandemic

[THIS PAST YEAR National Construction Training Services (NCTS) has engaged in a massive expansion of its facilities in addition to forging ahead with its on-going training provision – all the while dealing, like all businesses, with the global COVID pandemic.

Last year NCTS joined forces with Master Roofers UK, leading to the launch of prestigious new training premises in Salford. In addition, NCTS’s existing training facility in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, is seeing the restructuring and modification of its premises, with new classroom facilities, the expansion of its workshop area, and new training rigs. Those works do not affect the running of the current training programme.

The range of courses available at each centre covers sector-specific training, such as qualifications in lead and hard metals, slating and tiling, and health and safety. However, new courses will be added wherever there is a demand: an ornate slating course – the first of its kind – is scheduled to start in August, while a lead casting course will be available in September.

Together, these new and existing courses have led to the recruitment of five additional tutors/assessors, who jointly cover the entire range of the training and assessment programmes at the two training sites.

NCTS/Master Roofers have also teamed up with Burton Roofing Merchants to deliver lead and hard metal courses at the following locations: Hull, Kenley, Livingston, Newcastle upon Tyne, Southampton, Stockton-on-Tees and York. The training will start towards the end of this year and will continue until the end of 2022. Dates for each venue will be confirmed shortly, but anyone wishing to register their interest can do so by contacting NCTS/Master Roofers. Meanwhile, the On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) programme is proving as popular as ever. OSAT is an efficient route for experienced workers without formal qualifications to obtain recognition of their skills by obtaining an NVQ Level 2 or Level 3. Assessments are carried out on site, reducing the amount of time the candidate has to spend away from normal work.

In the past, experienced lead and hard metal workers were issued CSCS cards through the industry accreditation process – also known as ‘grandfather rights’ – through employer recommendations rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. CSCS closed that process to new applicants in 2010, but existing cardholders have been allowed to renew on the same basis.

However, as of 1 January last year, all cards renewed under industry accreditation will expire on 31 December 2024, and CSCS will stop issuing the cards from 30 June 2024. q • For further details on courses and venues, call 01992 801914, email training@ncts.org.uk or visit www.ncts.org.uk.