Skills shortage prompts action at PLANTWORX
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The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) will be organising a brand new skills initiative at the PLANTWORX 2013 show at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, the new biennial exhibition which takes place on 14-16 May. The Training and Education Zone is aimed at raising the awareness of the skills shortage across the construction equipment sector and promoting the colleges across the UK which offer various construction plant courses.
The show will also see the CPA hosting the presentation ceremony for the winners of the Stars of the Future plant mechanic apprenticeship competition, in conjunction with 16 colleges nationwide.
The Training and Education Zone was an idea borne out of a lack of apprentices in the construction sector and aims to encourage new blood into the industry, educate companies as to what courses are available across the UK and what grants are available to help fund the employment of apprentices, and enlist the support of the construction industry’s movers and shakers.
“The colleges we have approached have all been very positive about the Training and Education Zone,” said Haydn Steele, safety and training manager at the CPA. “Every college offering plant maintenance courses has committed to exhibit and support the zone and also our ‘Stars of the Future’ scheme.”
According to the CPA, many construction companies are under the impression that the only college offering construction courses and qualifications is the National Construction College at Bircham Newton; but there are in fact more than 15 Colleges nationwide offering courses and qualifications, not just in plant maintenance but management courses too. They include the Hire Desk Operative Apprenticeship Scheme, which colleges will be offering as standard to the industry.
“If apprentices were able to commute to their college, rather than move hundreds of miles away in order to attend a course it would encourage more apprentices into our industry and indeed companies to take on these trainees.” Said Haydn Steele. “At PLANTWORX we aim to get as many companies and training bodies involved in the Education and Training Zone – to spread the word and get today’s youth interested in construction equipment and the industry – and also to find placements within plant hire and construction companies to safe guard the future our industry and its many sectors.”
Rob Oliver is CEO of the Construction Equipment Association, which organises PLANTWORX. He said: “It is a sad paradox that we have so many people unemployed, yet a shortage of the right match of skills to the jobs that need to be done. From a manufacturer’s point of view our members have had challenges in attracting good engineering personnel into their companies – and right through the supply chain it’s important we up-skill to improve efficiency and output. That is why we are pleased to be partnering with the Construction Plant-hire Association on this PLANTWORX education and training project. On a broader scale we all need to be joining together to promote a progressive construction and manufacturing base to help our economy get out of the doldrums”.
To find out more, and register for free tickets, visit www.plantworx.co.uk.