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THE VIEW FROM FERFA The sign of a successful industry is one which places the highest value on training, for


young and new entrants into the sector, says FeRFA CEO Helen McGachie. Here, Helen outlines some of the training options in the resin flooring sector.


The installation of resin floors is a specialist skill area and FeRFA, as the Association representing resin flooring, fully endorses a qualified workforce through the achievement of NVQ Level 2 and above.


A number of changes came into place following the decision by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) only to promote card schemes with the CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) logo. One of these is that specialist sectors such as resin flooring, screeding and surface preparation need to provide evidence of skills and training qualifications for operatives to apply for the CSCS Blue Skilled card.


As the training provider for these specialist sectors, FeRFA has addressed this by offering various routes to qualification by providing apprenticeship schemes, onsite training and assessment, supervisory and contract management training, as well as one-day upskilling courses in specific topics and skill areas.


FeRFA has always supported the apprenticeship schemes as a vital area of training, since these provide a clear route for newcomers to learn a specialist skill and gain a qualification.


Working with the CITB, FeRFA has developed and now delivers three separate Specialist Apprenticeship/Applied Skills Schemes. These are in Insitu Resin Flooring, Screeds and Surface Preparation, and all of them all form part of a learning pathway towards obtaining an NVQL2 Diploma. Now that there are established and accredited apprenticeship schemes, these provide positive encouragement for newcomers to the industry, while also ensuring a skilled and qualified workforce for the future, in accordance with the government’s aims to achieve a fully qualified workforce by 2020.


Since the first scheme in 2007, FeRFA has supported almost 200 apprentices to register and/or complete the training schemes, and the first Specialist Apprentice Award was presented at the 2017 FeRFA Awards to Keelan Draper of Zircon Flooring. Sponsored by Cobra Insurance Brokers, this award was an opportunity for an employer in the sector to nominate a former apprentice, whose career development has made a positive impact to the success of the business. Keelan Draper was a worthy winner.


FeRFA also addresses the need for career progression through its partnership with the Drilling & Sawing Association. This offers management training courses for NVQL3 Occupational Supervisory Management and the NVQL6 Contracts Management course. Both courses involve a series of modules delivered in a classroom setting and specific to the occupation. They also both include an on-the- job final assessment.


It is never too late to add another skill to your portfolio. FeRFA runs a programme of one-day up-skilling training courses to give members the opportunity either to refresh their knowledge and skills, and also to learn new skills or techniques or indeed to acquire knowledge in an entirely new topic.


It is important to understand that there is a strong commercial rationale for the industry’s work on training. High- quality effective training is key to ensuring the profitability of our businesses going forward. A qualified workforce raises standards in the industry and gives clients the assurance and evidence of the contractor’s ability to undertake the work involved. This ultimately leads to more business for all of us and a stronger sector.


www.ferfa.org.uk 18 | FEATURE www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com


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