The construction industry has come a long way over the past 10 years, no longer are employees within the industry considered unintelligent ‘tradies’, far from it. To even enter the construction industry now you are required to have a wealth of health and safety certificates, along with NVQ’s and degrees, depending on your career path.
But what if you’ve been working within the industry for a while and are looking to update your skills, what options are there, and is it worth it?
At Fusion People we’ve taken a look at the options available for continuing professional development with the Construction Industry.
Where can you improve your skills?
There are hundreds of organisations now offering training courses within the construction industry however there are only a few that are officially recognised above the rest.
CITB was founded back 1964 and was set up as part of a Government initiative to provide training, set standards and provide advice within the construction industry. The premise behind CITB is to provide; support, information, advice, forecasts, qualifications and training within the construction industry. It is a ‘social enterprise and charity’, and therefore any profits made are reinvested back in to the programs for support.
UK Construction Training is and independent training company, part of the XYZ training group, offering hundreds of nationally recognised training courses to help employers and employees stay up-to-date with their legal and personal training needs.
City and Guilds provides over 500 vocational courses in 28 different countries. Their courses are created to be valued by the employers and provide continues growth of employees. City and Guilds offer flexible learning options to fit in with the hectic world that is construction.
What courses are available?
The courses available from each of the above vary immensely, with CITB offering a variety of college courses, UK Construction Training provides various health and safety, IOSH, NEBOSH, plant training and site management courses and City and Guilds vocational courses specific to the your specific occupation.
Dependent on the continued professional development you are embarking on will depend which company can provide the most appropriate course. Speak with an advisor for each of your training company of choice to see who offers the best options; which course is most likely to take you further in your career path, as well as fit in with your lifestyle needs.
How will continuing your professional development benefit you?
- Improve your industry knowledge and understanding
- Gained confidence through learning
- Networking and social skills
- Best practices
- Improves your CV
- Could increase your wage
Benefits for your employer:
- Increased competence – can be left to your own devices
- Adds additional skills to the company CV
- Networking for the company
- Brings in new ideas and best practices
Continuing professional development is beneficial for both you and your employers. Dependent on which training provider you choose you may be able to receive grants and funding towards the cost of the course.
And remember, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss.
Happy learning!
Author Bio: Leah Jarratt is a regular guest writer for Fusion People, Global Recruitment Specialists.