Voice of the
Haydn Steele, Safety and Training Manager at the CPA (Construction Plant-hire Association)
The skills shortage in the construction equipment industry is a real hot topic and has been for some time and is a subject
which I too feel very strongly about. It’s one of my responsibilities at the CPA to campaign and implement improved quality training including improved technical knowledge, by working with colleges, associations and other training bodies. I also promote further investment from both the industry and government. If further investment is not forthcoming the future of our industry will be damaged for the foreseeable future. The CPA is also working with ConstructionSkills to get a better idea of the type of training that industry members require for their employees.
More companies should be actively taking on apprentices, but with the ageing workforce, since the removal of the DRA
(default retirement age), apprentice positions are decreasing. During recession the first items to be cut from a company budget are marketing and training. This is not the right way to go – apprentices are OUR future and to protect the future of our industry, companies should invest in an apprentice. Recently improved grants for Plant NVQ’s and a new round of Government funding for Work Place Learning (WPL) should go some way to improve the level of trainees in our industry. Many construction companies are put off taking on apprentices as they are under the impression that the only college offering construction courses and qualifications
is the National Construction College at Bircham Newton, in Norfolk – but there are in fact 17 Colleges nationwide offering courses and qualifications in not just plant maintenance but management courses too, including the Hire Desk Operative Apprenticeship Scheme, which Colleges will soon be offering as standard to the industry. Also, if apprentices were able to ‘commute’ to their college, rather than travel hundreds of miles away in order to attend a course, it would encourage more
apprentices into our industry and encourage companies to take on these trainees. At the forthcoming PLANTWORX 2013 construction exhibition (14th – 16th May Stoneleigh Park) we have teamed up with the CEA (Construction Equipment
Association) and are introducing the Training and Education Zone, where we aim to get many colleges and training bodies involved and to spread the word about apprenticeships. My aim is to get today’s youth interested in construction, find placements within plant hire and construction companies and to safeguard the future our industry and its many sectors. We will also be hosting the presentation to the winners of the CPA’s ‘Stars of the Future’ plant mechanic apprenticeship competition, in conjunction with 17 colleges
nationwide. The colleges we have approached have all been very positive about the Training and Education Zone. Every college offering plant maintenance courses has committed
to exhibit and support the zone and also our ‘Stars of the Future’ scheme. The ‘Stars of the Future’ competition is an annual award scheme devised by the CPA to recognise talented youngsters on plant mechanic apprenticeship schemes in
colleges across the UK (17 in total). There will be a separate prizes for Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices and colleges will monitor their students and identify their two ‘Stars of the Future’ apprentices – in total there will be 34 regional winners across the country. These winners will then be further assessed to identify the National Winner at each level. The first prize giving is scheduled to take place in a ceremony on Thursday 16th May 2013 at PLANTWORX. In the future we plan to extend the award scheme to other training and apprenticeship routes. What judges will be looking for in the winning candidates, is not just academic excellence – but those showing the most potential, with a range of skills and attributes
that would benefit from the boost this prestigious award would bring. These apprentices are our industry’s future and should be recognised as such. With the support from the CPA and other supporting companies we can give these young students a head start and the confidence to rise to new challenges and tackle the ever changing technologies involved in our industry. The Training and Education Zone promises to be one of the many highlights of PLANTWORX 2013 providing the support and forward thinking that the construction
industry needs to ‘keep ahead of the game’. This zone could provide a significant contribution to the solution of the Skills Shortage and safeguard the future of plant maintenance.
Late News
Profits Your Really ‘Knee’d From Avit Ever keen to offer its stockists an affordable, quality range of DIY hand tools and accessories, Carl Kammerling International has extended its 61-strong range of Avit hand tools and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) with the introduction of two functional and extremely durable sets of knee pads. The two sets of Foam knee pads in Avit’s collection have been designed specifically for comfort whilst kneeling and
are set to fly off the shelves. The Avit Hard Shell Knee Pads feature a rigid Nylon shell with a large flat surface for essential stability when
working on uneven and rough surfaces, whilst durable foam pads, with soft, breathable inner lining ensure complete comfort. For added convenience, twin elasticised straps with hook and loop fasteners provide the best possible fit for individual needs. To reduce discomfort whilst kneeling the Avit General Purpose Knee Pads offer soft, thick, breathable inner
padding under an extremely durable foam pad. Ideal for most internal applications and light outdoor work, such as gardening, these comfortable pads also feature adjustable straps with hook and loop fasteners for the perfect fit. The Avit knee pads have been designed to offer the end user utmost comfort. Understanding that knee pads are often not worn if uncomfortable or irritating, Avit has
gone to great lengths to ensure that its knee pads can be worn without discomfort throughout the task being undertaken. These robust knee pads join the full Avit range, which has been developed to include ear, eye and respiratory safety equipment, along with a wealth of practical hand
tools. Reply No. 29 32 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
Industry
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