DEL Funded Projects
Department for Employment and Learning Funded Projects
DEL’s Sectoral Development Branch provides support to Sector Skills Councils to enable them to undertake specific projects that meet the skills needs of their sector. The following DEL funded projects are on-going at present.
Qualifying the Workforce
The project aims to target existing construction employees experienced in a vocational area but who are unqualified to enable them to attain a relevant qualification (minimum of NVQ level 2). Participants (20 individuals) will be drawn predominantly from specialist sectors.
Project Based Training
The aim of the project is to align with the work of the National Skills Academy in GB, to develop a culture of site-based training on major construction projects. Working in partnership with FMP (Farrans Martins Pattons), CITB-ConstructionSkills Northern Ireland has secured funding from DEL for a 'Project Based Training Programme'. A steering group made up of key partners is directing the work. A training needs analysis of all workers on the Belfast Schools sites will be undertaken, in three stages, looking at 1. Lead Contractors (FMP management), 2. Large Contractors (mostly levy payers), and 3. Small Contractors (including sole traders, mostly below the levy threshold). Tier 1 has been completed and Tier 2 is well underway. In addition, training has been / is being organised in health and safety (CSR renewals) and first aid (appointed persons). The CITB-ConstructionSkills Northern Ireland Mobile Training Unit has also delivered training on site and the Prometric Health and Safety Test mobile unit facilitated health and safety testing on site. A number of pilot Experienced Worker Practical Assessments (EWPAs) have been undertaken or are scheduled including bricklaying, floor covering, joinery, and painting and decorating, allowing candidates to achieve an NVQ by being assessed on the completion of set tasks, undergoing a 'professional discussion' to assess their competency and providing witness statements from their employer. Once the pilots have been completed, the steering group will look at rolling out these EWPAs to more candidates across the five sites. Furthermore FMP are planning to provide site visits and other activities for apprentices on the programme-led strand (unemployed) to assist their development.
BE SSC Group NI (chaired by CITB-ConstructionSkills Northern Ireland)
Built Environment Careers
Through the Built Environment Sector Skills Council Group (CITB-ConstructionSkills Northern Ireland, Energy & Utility Skills, SummitSkills, ProSkills and AssetSkills), a DVD was developed to specifically raise awareness of the sector and the many and varied career opportunities that exist within it. With recessionary conditions having impacted the sector, like many others over the last few years, the Built Environment Group wanted to show that a career within the industry can be exciting, challenging and rewarding. The DVD covers each of the five sector skill councils’ footprints and using real case studies really gives viewers a feel for the types of careers and support networks that are available. The DVD is now complete and is available to view on the websites of the participating SSCs or by contacting any of the SSCs to obtain a copy.
If you would like a copy of the DVD please contact Alison McClean, alison.mcclean@citbcsni.org.uk
Career in the Built Environment Part1
Career in the Built Environment Part2
