TRAINING
Funding boost for transport apprenticeships welcomed
N A lifting experience on new training courses
ew courses are available to train engineers responsible for the test, examination and maintenance of overhead lifting equipment.
Neil Stokell
The organisation that lobbied ministers for more transport apprenticeships has welcomed the £250m boost announced by the Government.
GoSkills, the sector skills council for passenger transport, said the increase in funding for adult apprenticeships showed that the need for a skilled workforce was recognised at the highest levels. It had recently discussed the issue with skills minister John Hayes MP when the announcement was made.
Its chief executive, Neil Stokell, said: “GoSkills is delighted the Government has acted on this issue and we are pleased to have played our part in letting Government know our employers’ views. It is heartening that these views have been listened to and the Government has acknowledged the need for a skilled workforce.
“We now look forward to working with the Department for Business on securing a financial settlement that could be ring- fenced for passenger transport as well as the wider transport sector.
“We will be making further representations to the Minister to ensure this happens.”
Mr Hayes said: “I am determined to seed apprenticeships in every part of the country, to spread opportunity, grow the nation’s economy and produce a bigger society.”
The expanded portfolio of courses by the LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) is designed to prepare trainees for its Diploma examination, as well as specialist training on the maintenance of hoists and electric overhead travelling cranes.
This year, three new ‘intensive practical’ courses are being brought in, covering manual and powered lifting machines, runways and light crane structures, and electric overhead travelling cranes.
Each course lasts for five days and is held at the LEEA’s dedicated training facility in
Huntingdon, which incorporates a wide range of operational lifting equipment from a variety of manufacturers.
Geoff Holden, chief executive of the LEEA, said: “Right across the world, demand for LEEA training is growing fast. These new courses offer engineers a hands-on, fast-track route towards new Diploma qualifications.
FOR MORE INFORMATION For details visit
www.leeaint.com
Training key to boosting the economy and small businesses A
n overhaul of training and education is needed to boost the SME sector, warns a business chief.
The chief executive of the Forum of Private Business, Phil Orford, said many SMEs will continue to experience tough times this year thanks to reduced public spending, increased costs and late payment.
He said: “With youth
unemployment at record levels and small businesses struggling to find staff with the right skill sets, we will be campaigning for training provision that is business-friendly, and calling on education providers to focus on the requirements of small businesses as well as students.”
He argues that, despite current levels of unemployment, many SMEs still struggle to recruit people with the right skills and knowledge, so a refocusing of
78 | rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 11
“Simplifying employment law would go a long way towards empowering entrepreneurs to create jobs to grow their businesses, but there is a need to address workforce training and skills.”
Phil Orford
the education system would also come as a boost to smaller firms.
He added: “We are pushing for the UK’s complex tax system to be simplified and complying with regulation to be made more proportionate for small firms.
“Employment law, in particular, must cease to be a barrier to job creation and should be rebalanced more in favour of employers – and the majority of the workforce – not just individual employees.
The Forum, founded in 1977, is also launching a campaign to ‘Get Britain Trading’, highlighting the importance small businesses and
manufacturers – including those in the rail industry – and their huge contribution to the UK economy.
Mr Orford said: “Like the economy as a whole, small businesses across the UK are entering a crucial period. With the Forum’s support, protection and reassurance – and the right policies from the Government – it can also be a year of renewed profitability. Let’s work together to strive for success.”
“To stay on the right side of the law and ensure that lifting equipment remains fit for purpose, employers should only ever use properly qualified engineers for test, examination and maintenance. We now issue a ‘TEAM’ identity card and log book to all engineers who pass the Diploma and employers should insist it is shown by anyone intending to work on their lifting equipment.”
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