| Nigel
Donohue, Head of Business Development Services at the National Construction
College, Europe’s largest construction training provider, understands that
training can be a challenge for many businesses in the current climate, but
if companies wish to remain competitive it is more important than ever.
|
|
Identify the training needs of employees
|
| In the first
instance, assess the training needs of your managers using a tool such as
the National Construction College’s (NCC) Leadership and Management
Diagnostics tool. The unique web-based programme provides managers with a
simple online self-complete questionnaire. Once completed, a report will be
prepared which gives business advice on the courses that will bridge any
skills gaps that have been identified within your company and potentially
inhibit competitiveness. It is useful and cost-effective for businesses to
properly identify the training needs of their business before investing in
training programmes. |
 |
|
Apprenticeships |
|
Apprenticeships are simply the lifeblood of our industry. They offer young
people the best route into the industry while supporting the business that
employs them. The return on their investment is well documented and they
will ensure the industry avoids future skills gaps, particularly as most
training is now demand led. It’s imperative that employers take advantage of
the full grant allocation and work with excellent training providers with
the highest achievement rates to ensure their apprentices are the very best. |
|
Refresher Training |
| With new
challenges, such as low carbon, emerging technologies, construction methods
and changes to legislation and regulations, it is essential that your
workforce has the right skills and knowledge. Industry’s clients are getting
more demanding and to win more contracts skills will take a top priority.
For us, one of the key refresher areas is Health and Safety, where our
courses are designed to support, build and develop understanding and
implementation of health and safety practice - bringing new legislative
requirements to the foreground. They’re cost effective and help businesses
ensure their workers are operating to best practice and updated ways of
working. |
 |
|
On-site training |
| Any
confident, knowledgeable and fully trained team has many benefits, including
increased motivation and productivity. They make fewer mistakes, are at a
lower risk of accidents and make businesses run a better profit through
their efficiency and ability to offer better to solutions to problems.
Training courses provided close to or at your business, such as the unique
and bespoke training provided by the NCC, ensure that time is not wasted
away from the workplace and that staff travel costs are kept to a minimum.
|
|
Online training |
| Online
training is a great way to provide standardised teaching to large groups and
offers flexibility as well as affordability. In some instances it is even
preferred, to limit time away from the workplace and can be done at a time
that is suitable to workers. The NCC will be launching a Learner Management
System in May 2011 which will deliver a range of online content, structured
e-learning programmes and the ability for employers to monitor the progress
of their apprentices with the College online. |
| The
National Construction College (NCC) is the largest construction training
provider in Europe. It provides training to both young apprentices and adult
students for a wide range of specialist courses, which are delivered by
experienced instructors at the College’s eight campuses across the country,
providing training for up to 30,000 learners each year. |
| To
find out more about the training available now at the National Construction
College please call 0344 994 4433or visit
www.nationalconstructioncollege.co.uk. |
