A scheme launched by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) to tackle the critical shortage of apprenticeship trainers and assessors has got off to a “flying start” with high levels of interest and its first graduate already secured.
BESA’s Skills Legacy programme was launched in March with the aim of recruiting 100 trainers, assessors and building safety auditors to help further education (FE) providers who were struggling to find suitably qualified engineers to support the delivery of building services apprenticeships.
The Association used its national networks to reach out to encourage experienced engineers motivated to give something back to their industry by passing on their expertise to help address growing skills gaps in critical engineering trades.
Jon Hogg from Ductbusters has become the first applicant to successfully complete the training and receive his Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA).
There are two further candidates enrolled on the course and two others awaiting start dates with several others keen to participate and awaiting acceptance by a training provider.
As well as recruiting trainers and assessors qualified to support the delivery of trade apprenticeships, the scheme will also recruit building safety auditors to help the industry cope with new competence requirements created by the Building Safety Act.
Enthusiasm
“We have been hugely encouraged by the enthusiasm among members and the wider industry for this scheme,” said BESA’s head of competence Stuart Rattray. “The fact that we already have our first graduate shows that employers recognise the urgency of overcoming the challenges we face when trying to plug our skills gaps.
“The critical shortage of trainers and assessors remains a major Achilles heel in our training provision and anyone helping to address this will be providing an invaluable service to future generations of engineers.”
The Manly Charitable Trust is co-sponsoring the scheme and is committed to funding the first 50 participants. Founded in 1991 by former BESA President Graham Manly in memory of his father Alfred Manly, the trust provides financial assistance to charities that provide opportunities for young people in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and help advance engineering education.
BESA said the Trust’s support should give FE colleges and other education providers greater reassurance that building engineering training courses could be delivered. The lack of appropriately qualified people to deliver and assess training and apprenticeship schemes means the sector is often regarded as ‘high risk’ by FE providers leading to a shortage of training capacity nationwide.
“Our workforce is ageing and is already under intense pressure,” said Rattray. “The average age across construction related sectors is 53 so without a dramatic increase in numbers of young people coming in, a labour force crunch is looming.
“However, simply improving recruitment will not address the fundamental problems we face. Unless we address the shortage of trainers and assessors who can deliver programmes, the industry will find itself unable to meet demand within a few short years.”
BESA’s nationwide scheme is bringing together employers, represented by the Association, and the FE sector to provide a pathway for anyone with the right skills, experience and qualifications to become a trainer or assessor. Those seeking to become qualified building safety auditors will be assessed in line with the ISO 9001 management standard.
“I am delighted and proud to be the first graduate from this vital scheme,” said Hogg. “I knew immediately that this was something I wanted to do so I signed up straightaway.
“We are constantly talking about skills shortages and our collective failure to recruit enough new talent into our industry, but talk is cheap, and this is an opportunity to do something about it. I look forward to welcoming many more of my industry peers into the scheme and to working with our FE partners to deliver many more apprenticeships in the future.”
Proud
Training provider Brooks & Kirk said it was also “extremely proud to celebrate his success”.
“Jon’s commitment reflects the urgent need for more qualified assessors in the industry. The demand for skilled assessors has never been greater. Without them, apprentices cannot complete their qualifications and industries cannot address the pressing skills shortages holding them back,” it added.
“Jon’s achievement is just the beginning. With more people stepping up to train as assessors, we can ensure that businesses meet today’s challenges and thrive in the future.”
Training to become an assessor/trainer is delivered by the FE provider via a ‘hybrid’ remote and in-person format. BESA is also developing an assessor register and will work with educators and employers to celebrate those who complete the programme before embarking on their crucial role helping a new generation of apprentices.
For more information about joining this vital initiative, visit the website here, and more information about the Manly Trust can be found here.