CWIC Newsletter Autumn 2018

Canolfan Arloesi Adeiladwaith Cymru Construction Wales Innovation Centre

Future Proofing Construction Skills

CWIC Newsletter

Autumn 2018 No. 1

Cambria in North Wales; Coleg y Cymoedd in South East Wales and the Building Research Establishment joined together in this unique enterprise to ensure our industry has the right skills in place to meet current and future needs.

Donna Griffiths CITB Partnerships Manager

W

elcome to the first edition of the newsletter. We are now a matter of weeks away from the opening of the SA1 hub of CWIC. In 2016 the CWIC partnership including Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion (forming part of the UWTSD Group); Coleg

Enabled by CITB funding the partnership has already achieved a lot. CWIC has already engaged with over 2,000 Welsh construction industry professionals and delivered a total of 633 training days since it began.

CWIC has supported 350 welsh employers and has supported 260 activities to run throughout Wales.

Collaboration will continue to be at the heart of CWIC who are well placed to respond to the skills challenges across the whole of Wales and will, for the first time, deliver an integrated career pathway between operatives, trade and professional construction occupations across the whole of Wales.

The CWIC team hope to announce the official launch date of the SA1 hub shortly, where you will be able to meet the team and see the new facilities. For up to date news and training options visit cwic.wales.

cwic.wales | 01792 481273 | cwic@uwtsd.ac.uk | @CWICWales

Focus on Training CWIC is committed to helping deliver high quality, demand led activities throughout Wales. These activities have been facilitated by our partner colleges and we are pleased to share just a few of the highlights from people who have taken part in these courses.

CIOB Site Supervision In June of this year, Coleg Ceredigion delivered a CWIC funded CIOB Level 4 Site Supervision course covering the management of health and safety on construction sites, contractual and legal responsibilities, estimating and measuring work as well as managing technology of modern construction.

Shortly afterwards an employer, whose employee attended the course, got in touch with the college to say that he,

“... noticed a huge difference in my employee’s attitude and commitment to work since being on the course” and, “would definitely recommend the course and is considering sending another apprentice next year on the higher apprenticeship programme.”

Autodesk Revit Training CWIC identified, through its network of stakeholders, a shortage of architectural companies moving into 3D BIM CAD working environments. To help address this, CWIC has just completed its delivery of an Autodesk Revit course at its spoke partner, Coleg Sir Gâr.

Gethin James of IAGO Cymru Ltd said of the course, “We, as a company, are very grateful to CWIC

for providing this course.

We have considered moving from 2D into 3D for several years but costs of training has been prohibitive. Having attended this course allows us to now grow or business

by offering further services to our clients and produce models for BIM enabled projects.”

Participants from several companies learning about drone technology

Drone Technology & Construction Coleg Cambria (CWIC in North Wales) work very closely with leading construction companies such Redrow, Anwyl, Watkin Jones, Read, Knights, Galliford Try and many others. This collaboration has meant there has been a development of courses which aims to address the challenges facing the construction industry in North Wales.

Coleg Cambria’s training delivery has included a range of scaffolding courses including CISRS Basic Scaffolding Inspection; Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Use of MS Project Management 2016; PASMA for Users; The Use of Drones in Construction (pictured) as well as Behavioural Awareness in Construction.

“CWIC has been very effective at providing the bespoke training we need for our staff and been able to address our needs quickly. It is one of the unique offerings in the training world that really addresses employee needs.”

Richard Heaton, Managing Director at Read Construction

Bootcamp is a big success Due to the potential dangers of working in infrastructure, many employers are reluctant to allow new industry entrants onto site without first being trained. However, for a new entrant the costs of training in groundworks and plant operations are above their reach. As such, a Construction Bootcamp, with the financial support of CWIC and CITB Wales was established to help provide sufficient training to

allow the next generation of industry workers to break through and prevent a future skills crisis. To date, ARC, Coleg y Cymoedd and CWIC have worked together to facilitate three successful 20 day boot camps.

John Roberts, an assessor and trainer for the scheme said, “…the course has been a massive success both as in the candidates gaining their qualifications and then going into

employment. I personally think there should be a lot more of these types of courses that encourage candidates to gain employment.”

Students learning how to lay a road

CWIC Hub is opening From this October the CWIC Hub will be opened and delivering a range of training courses at all levels for anyone working in the construction industry. The facilities will support employers by addressing urgent skills and knowledge needs as well as hosting engagement events for schools and other potential new entrants to the construction industry. The Hub will include a ConstructZone that is flexible enough to deliver practical skills training, product demonstration, trade shows and industry engagement activities. The Hub will also house a dedicated computer suite, a conference centre that can be divided into two classrooms, a boardroom and space for external users from industry.

In addition, CWIC users have access to an extended range of amenities that a modern university campus can offer.

said: “Construction is one of the most important industries – and drivers of job opportunities - in the Swansea Bay City Region. £1.3bn investment coming in to S W Wales, the partnership between UWTSD, with its pipeline of young people gaining skills in the built environment, and the Construction Wales Innovation Centre, will help to ensure that individuals and firms are given the best possible training in the best possible facilities to drive up further opportunities in the region and beyond.”

Dr Jane Davidson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement and Sustainability,

Director of CWIC, Gerald Naylor said: “We are not only working quickly & responsively to meet the needs of the construction industry in Wales but also working collaboratively with a number of industry partners on improving employer-education engagement. CWIC is also partnering with other stakeholders in promoting a positive image of the construction industry to potential new entrants.”

The viewing gallery

The new ConstructZone

Widening our scope In support of its core activities CWIC is involved in two CITB funded projects that are promoting the construction industry to the schools sector.

The Contextualised Curriculum project is led

by Bouygues UK who are developing resources with their project partners, learning and information materials that can be used by teachers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) subjects.

The second project, Education Engagement programme led by Kier Construction, will use these resources as part of

a drive to create an interest amongst school pupils for construction.

In addition, CWIC is project managing two further employer-education initiatives again funded by the CITB. WRW Construction is leading on the Experiential Learning project that seeks to promote the industry to the more able and talented young people as well as providing a safe simulated working environment that supports work readiness.

A similar and complementary project supported by the Civil Engineering Contractors

Association will create resources for a series of continuing professional development programmes as well as encouraging industry experts to share their knowledge and skills with the higher education sector.

CWIC is also currently collaborating with other likeminded organisations throughout the UK in promoting the use of immersive technologies in construction and a separate project to address acute skills shortages in off-site manufacturing.

Looking to the future Whilst meeting the needs of employers today CWIC is also looking to the future. It is now working on an ambitious ten-year plan to sustain its current core activities and expand its reach into new horizons and in every region of Wales. Framed around three key industry priorities of the future workforce, skills development and innovation CWIC will work ever closer with employers, education providers, the CITB and Welsh Government. CWIC has already started on this work and

has identified a range of ‘issues’ under each priority. Tentative ‘solutions’ have been recommended and a period of consultation is underway. A Roadmap is scheduled for publication in October 2018 when all stakeholders will be asked to contribute and influence a pan-Wales action plan.

New CIOB Level 5 Higher Apprenticeships in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying University of Wales Trinity Saint David is delighted to announce two new Higher Apprenticeship programmes in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying.

(CWIC) allows us the opportunity to discuss with both employers and professional institutions, the requirements and current shortages within industry ‘first hand’.

The School of Architecture, Built & Natural Environments is working directly with industry partners and in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), The Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to deliver these programmes at The Faculty of Architecture, Computing and Engineering from October 2018.

We aim to be the number one provider of Construction courses in Wales. Together with our collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), we believe that our courses provide students with the necessary skills required in a rapidly changing industry and sets them firmly on the path to professional accreditation.

They have been developed with industry to meet the current significant shortage of Construction Managers and Quantity Surveyors in Wales. This is such an exciting time for the School of Architecture, Built and Natural Environments. All our courses have been designed to respond to Industry requirements. As a university and a provider of construction education we are in a unique position, in that our partnership with The Construction Wales Innovation Centre

The framework will be structured to offer two interconnected pathways with seamless progression through three academic years incorporating two distinct Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and appropriately related Level 5 NVQs. These new pathways will be flexible, adaptable and meet the needs of local employers.

Our aim is to develop our Higher National Apprenticeships across our programmes.

Kate Evans our first apprentice talks to Lindsay Richards, Head of the School of Architecture, Built & Natural Environments at UWTSD

Skills on Site

Our first Skills on Site visit with Kier in SA1

In May 2017 we launched our new onsite learning initiative Skills on Site (SonS) whose prime objective is to capitalise on the availability of live construction sites to provide practical, vocational and educational training thereby supplementing classroom learning.

Created as a partnership between CWIC, the University of Wales Trinity St David, the Chartered Institute of Building and the Construction Industry Training Board its aim is also to engage with supply chain organisations to explore relevant site topics and methods of working.

Our first SonS, hosted by Kier Construction at the University of Wales Trinity St David’s new building in the SA1 Swansea Waterfront development engaged students from both the university’s own School of Architecture, Built

and Natural Environment and Coleg Sir Gar in a presentation on the ways in which drone technology is being used in construction.

Strategic Partnerships Director for CITB Wales Mark Bodger said: “Skills on Site aims to support construction organisations to open up sites to become learning zones. I’m delighted the SA1 site, home to the new Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), is the launch pad for the scheme.

“CWIC and the SA1 development are already committed to onsite learning, with students developing various skills throughout the build of the new centre. The SA1 development has also been awarded National Skills Academy for Construction status, which will help create jobs for the local workforce,

create high quality apprenticeships and deliver industry-led, first-class training at the development.”

Since then other topics have included Pre-construction Procedures, a talk on Mechanical and Engineering plans, a presentation on Contractual Procedures and Tender Bids, an explanation on Site Logistics and Substructure as well as a visit to learn about Health & Safety issues at the new S4C headquarters, Yr Egin.

CWIC is keen to develop more visits and would like to hear from construction companies of all sizes across Wales who are amenable to hosting a SonS visit. We are pleased to announce that Coleg Ceredigion will lead the initiative on behalf of CWIC. Please contact us on 01792 481273.

Contextualising Construction for Ysgol y Preseli Pupils A group of Year 9 pupils at Pembrokeshire’s secondary school Ysgol y Preselihave taken part in a new, pilot training programme called ‘Construct Your Future’ run by Coleg Ceredigion to learn all a bout construction.

During the 18 week long course the pupils gained practical experience of a number of construction projects which involved bricklaying, plastering, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, maintenance and painting and decorating. They completed the course this June with a project that involved creating an imaginatively designed and sustainably built pod using environmental materials.

The course was designed in such a way that pupils were able to work towards an end of year ‘Design and Build Project’ as well as achieve a City and Guilds Level 1 Award in Construction Skills which has

Pupils being given a demonstration

provided them with a valuable introduction to the construction industry. They have also had opportunities to be hands-on with some of the essential skills required in our industry and were also able to undertake tasks using Computer Aided Design software and to learn about Quantity Surveying.

In addition to working on a design project, they visited the Centre for Alternative Technology to learn about environmental challenges facing the construction industry and how the Centre of Alternative Technology is working towards a zero carbon Britain.

Guest speakers included Carwyn Jones who was the winner of the Channel 4 television programme, Cabins in the Wild.

Carwyn's unique design consisted of a timber frame structure which was formed in the shape of a Dragon's Eye.

Carwyn delivered a very interesting session which included the thought process behind the design and the actual challenges and rewards of building the structure.

Huw Thomas, Curriculum Development Manager at Coleg Ceredigion followed the progress of the course from start to finish.

He said, “It's fantastic to be able to provide such a unique opportunity to the year 9 pupils of Ysgol Y Preseli.

The variety of skills these pupils have acquired over the academic year is astonishing. This definitely highlights the fact that people learn best when they enjoy what they do, it's been such a pleasure for us as a college to have taught the cohort of learners and we're grateful to the CITB, CWIC and Ysgol Y Preseli for their continuing support throughout.”

Visit to a construction site

“This project has been vital in terms of helping pupils to develop important transferable skills. The expert practical advice and the learning opportunities that they have been given have provided the pupils with a solid foundation for their future vocational training” Mike Davies Headteacher

Practical skills making a pod

Innovation takes off in Cambria Coleg Cambria became a Spoke for CWIC in 2016. Almost immediately, it became apparent that the courses delivered through CWIC were in high demand. In order to support the training needs of individuals within Welsh construction companies a wide range of courses were scheduled.

Over the past 2 years Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road campus has undertaken substantial new and renovation building work. Much of this has been based on discussions regarding areas for training development through CWIC course programming as well as talks with industry. These new construction education areas have been devised and constructed with the help of architects and staff at the college.

Our new Innovation Centre is now the hub for all CWIC courses delivered at the college. We are able to deliver courses

WE HAVE MOVED Construction Wales Innovation Centre University of Wales Trinity Saint David Heol Ynys, Kings Road, Swansea SA1 8EW

that are ‘classroom based’, such as MS Project Management, BIM, Temporary Works Co-ordinator and Supervisor as well as the option to attend practical courses including PASMA, CISRS Basic Scaffolding Inspection and Aerial Survey and Inspections.

Construction employees and workers from all over Wales are attending the courses and are very well received today as they have been since the beginning, if not more. Our ambition is to gain new and innovative technologies and teach modern construction methods.

Learning about drone piloting