Construction National

CITB Construction Skills funds SPOA Qualifications Initiative

The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA), its 260 plus member companies and the 15,000 people they employ in Scotland are set to benefit from a new initiative introduced by the SPOA committee and funded with £50K from industry body CITB Construction Skills.

The ‘Qualifying the Workforce’ project will see a SPOA representative work with officials and other industry bodies to set and raise standards of competence for plant operators, plant mechanics (fitters) and other occupations directly related to plant and equipment.

The SPOA, with the backing of CITB Construction Skills, is encouraging every member company, the people employed by them, the Health and Safety Executive, colleges who provide training and contractors who hire plant and equipment to contribute with their support and leadership.

Specific outcomes sought from the ‘Qualifying the Workforce’ project include:

1. Increasing the number of people in the Plant Industry who are Vocationally Qualified (VQ) to Level 2 or above

2. Increasing the number of apprenticeships and apprentices in the industry

3. Helping with preparation for Level 2 VQs

4. Working with people who have already achieved level 2 VQ or above to further advance and develop their skills and abilities to manage, train others, and improve the businesses they are employed by

Improving communication with and between the companies, organisations and people involved with, or who require plant and equipment, is key to the project.  This involves bodies including the Government, Local Authorities, Construction Plant Competence Scheme, the Health and Safety Executive, NHS, Network Rail, Contractors, Hirers, Suppliers, Operators, Fitters, Trainers and Educators.

Phil Ford, Skills Strategy Manager at CITB Construction Skills, said: “We are proud to be able to fund such a key initiative in the construction industry.  Every organisation involved with the Scottish Plant Owners Association will now have the opportunity to contribute to the development of staff within their company and the plant industry as a whole through their trade association.

“The ‘Qualifying the Workforce’ initiative will enable more people in the sector to achieve a VQ at level 2 or above and develop skills and abilities of the workforce as a whole.  By undertaking this initiative the SPOA will be able to draw on the information they receive to recommend and develop an industry standard for qualifications and training. “

Representative organisations most directly involved with construction and plant, and every SPOA member company will be contacted individually and invited to provide thoughts on the qualifications required on site by the people they employ or deal with.   Members will also be invited to provide details of the current qualifications held or being pursued by their operatives, fitters, and staff, the qualifications and training they require and any opportunities they are willing to provide for new apprentices, operators, and staff.

The SPOA will collate and use the information to obtain the most competitive terms and funding available to members from training organisations and other agencies for training required.

Any company or organisation that would like to be consulted about standards SPOA will be recommending, how they can be achieved, and the other outcomes listed above is invited to participate by writing to ‘Qualifying the Workforce’, The Scottish Plant Owners Association, 302 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5RZ, with their ideas and suggestions.

Any companies who would like to be involved but who are not currently members of the SPOA can also apply to join by writing to the above address.