Press Release

ConstructionSkills encourages employers to have their say on qualifications

31 October 2005

Construction industry employers have been presented with the opportunity to have their say in the development of the national qualification framework, in order to meet the major challenges facing the industry.

ConstructionSkills knows all too well that some employers feel that current industry qualifications are not helping the industry as much as they could.  The government has given ConstructionSkills, as the Sector Skills Council for construction, the opportunity to shape and modernise future exams and qualifications and will be working with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to put together a new framework for how future qualifications should be structured, to be completed by Spring 2006.

Nick Gooderson, CITB-ConstructionSkills Head of Standards & Qualifications, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with the QCA on this important piece of work.  This is an exciting time for the industry, in terms of giving employers a real opportunity to speak out about what construction qualifications are needed.”

In order to ensure a successful review, ConstructionSkills is urging employers to participate is a series of regional workshops to ensure their views are heard.  A Sector Qualification Strategy is a coherent set of principles, priorities and actions that will be used as the basis for future qualification planning and development by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.  The development of a Construction Qualification Strategy (CQS) is an opportunity for the industry to examine the current UK qualification provision and decide if it is fit for purpose and meeting its needs.

The workshops will facilitate debate around six key skills issues:

• young entrants to the industry
  
• encouraging the uptake of qualifications
  
• assessment of qualifications
  
• performance of qualified workers
  
• training and development of staff
  
• up-skilling of migrant labour

Workshops will take place on the following dates:

• 8 November – Cambridge
  
• 10 November – Northumberland
  
• 15 November – London
  
• 17 November – Haydock
  
• 22 November – Kegworth

For more information on attending these workshops, please contact Lourdes Goodman on 01485 577 384 or visit: www.constructionskills.net/news/events/constructionqualification.asp

In addition to the regional workshops, short questionnaires are available online at www.constructionskills.net/consultation - where employers who are unable to attend a workshop can register their views.