media

UNOCO Launches Construction Training

Nottingham based learning and development specialists the UNOCO Group is continuing to build on its success by adding construction training to its portfolio.

In the first year the company plans to sign up 700 candidates from across the East Midlands for assessment and training across all areas of the construction sector, from carpenters, plasterers and joiners to roofers, painters and decorators. It will also help their employers gain access to funding for the training under the Train to Gain scheme.

UNOCO's decision to launch this new initiative comes in direct response to a change in policy due to come into force for all construction workers, which aims to raise standards in the industry.

Currently all site workers are required to have a basic safety Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card which demonstrates that they have good health and safety awareness, and are competent at their occupation. They also have the option of undergoing further training to gain other levels of card.

The change in policy requires all construction workers to have a minimum of a level 2 NVQ qualification in their trade or be working towards it in order to gain their skilled worker CSCS card which proves that they are competent in their occupation, before they can work on site.

Garry Smith, who has 15 years experience in the construction industry, has been appointed by the UNOCO Group as senior assessor of construction and he will be leading a team of skilled assessors to help local construction companies and their workers through the process of gaining the qualifications to meet these new requirements.

They will be carrying out assessments of individual workers using an online screener to assess their level of competency and to determine how much training they will need and in which areas. They will then create individual learning plans and provide the on-site training needed to complete the qualification. Depending on the amount of training needed, candidates can finish the course in as little as 8-12 weeks.

"It is vital that construction companies start planning for this now or they run the risk of chasing the required qualifications or losing access to commercial sites," said Garry. "The combination of the training and development skills of the UNOCO Group and the experience and expertise in the construction industry of my team means that we are ideally placed to provide the perfect solution to the training and qualification needs of local companies."

Two companies that have already enrolled their workers on the programme are Trent Bridge Construction and East Midlands Civil Engineering.

"I am looking forward to developing and leading the East Midlands vocational training across construction," Garry said. "I thoroughly enjoy seeing individuals achieve their desired qualifications and jobs."

For more information, please contact

Gary Taylor, UNOCO Group, 07791 808 371
Ted Stanley, UNOCO Group, 07967 479 288