Construction

Are you one of the 12,000 construction companies to have joined the Train to Gain programme run by the Learning and Skills Council?

Those of you working in the construction industry may want to look into the government service - which celebrates its second birthday this week - as it was set up to address the skills shortage in certain sectors, which some of you may identify as the one you are working in.

One construction firm that has benefited from the scheme is London-based FM Conway Ltd, which claims 250 employees have now become qualified in fields including plant operators and operatives and masons, which could be areas some of you want to train your own staff in.

Sharon Field, one of the employees, says: "Getting the training to improve my skills has renewed my self-confidence. I’m sure that it will strengthen my ability to support the company in its future growth," which could mark the beginning of a renewed interest in making sure time is taken to find the right people for the job.

The announcement of Train to Gain’s success comes after the director of field and regional strategy at Construction Skills Mike Bialyj said that there was an immediate need of skilled staff for the Olympic building projects.