Thinking Outside The Bog – Weighing Up The Options In The Construction Industry

Such a huge amount of publicity has been generated over the past few years regarding the shortages in qualified plumbers that the skills shortages in other building trades is often overlooked by those thinking of entering the building industry. However, the shortages in areas such as electrics or carpentry are very much there and continuing.

Carpentry
A good carpenter will always be in demand. Whether it is piece work on a building site or building and installing kitchen units, the scope of work can be as broad or as narrow as you choose. As with most trades carpenters can specialise or remain a generalist working on building sites for the weekly wage packet. In either case it is essential to be practically minded and have good manual skills. A good head with numbers is also handy to make sure that you get the measurements right.

Given the amount of knowledge required is it fair to assume that the barriers to entry are insurmountable, but an excellent way of getting your foot in the door is to attend an intensive course to gain the skills to add value to an employer from day one. One organisation, Step to Training, offers a six week residential course which will provide the underpinning knowledge of the NVQ level 2. What you need to do on successful completion of the course is take the skills you have learnt out in the workplace and have them assessed by a qualified external verifier. The work needs to be paid work under normal conditions, so for example, to a deadline and within an agreed price. The experience that you gain in the training centre and the portfolio you build can be used as accredited prior learning. Step to Training also offer the services of an assessor which can be a great help if it is not offered through your employer.

Electrics
Although entering the electrics industry will be an easier transition for those who have been building compatible skills in HM forces, it is not an impossible leap for someone who has no relevant experience or prior knowledge. There are several organisations that offer courses to give the necessary knowledge to enter the industry in a relatively short space of time. Generally, these courses will offer a couple of relevant City & Guilds qualifications as well as the under pinning knowledge toward Part P, enabling you to find work as an electrician’s mate. It is worth asking what the success rate is of the training provider’s students, as some can be better than others. Additionally, although it may be useful to claim you have more qualifications it is also important to focus on getting practical experience of what you are learning. The more practical experience you can gain during your training the better prepared you will be and the more you can offer to potential employers.

Recent building regulations have added a further qualification (Part P) which is needed before an electrician can carry out work in the home. This means that those already holding the necessary qualifications to practice as an electrician will need to attend a course in order to obtain this qualification if they want to work on domestic installations. It is unclear how the industry is going to deal with this issue as for those already trading it means, not only the cost of the Part P, but loss of earnings during the attendance of the course. It is highly recommended that any course you choose includes the under pinning knowledge for Part P. The Part P courses are generally run over four to ten days. You will then require 2 on-site assessments in the work place to attain your full Part P. The cost of the assessments is approximately £300 with VAT, but this is separate from the training fees that you will need to pay. Satisfactory completion of the Part P will allow you to apply to be a ‘Competent Person’ under the building regulations and carry out domestic electrical work. Although it is more regulated there are excellent opportunities in the electrical field as the industry’s needs are not being met through the current intake of young apprentices.

A quiver full of arrows
If you are still interested in pursuing a career in plumbing then it is worth considering adding another skill to your portfolio. Step to Training has seen a growing trend among its students for multi-skilling. Many of them will add on a two week plastering or tiling course after the end of their foundation plumbing course, knowing that this is often the type of work they would have to outsource. It can potentially bring in more revenue and also help in your own marketing efforts. Step to Training offers a range of courses within the umbrella of its Handyman programme which ranges from one to seven weeks and covers all the skills which a plumber could usefully bolt-on to his/her portfolio of skills. The kitchen fitting and bathroom installation courses are proving to be very popular as well as very relevant to the demands of the marketplace.

Finally, there has been a real growth in the demand for the ACS Gas and OFTEC oil courses. Students are realising the opportunities and earning potential in these areas (as much as £50,000 for a qualified CORGI engineer) and want to get the qualifications in as short a time as possible. It is possible with hard work and the right sort of experience that in 17 weeks (12 of which is in the workplace) a candidate could be going for CORGI assessment. On the other hand the OFTEC oil course is run over three days and is an excellent introduction into the domestic oil industry.

For students who have successfully completed the City & Guilds 6129 level 2 Technical Certificate in Plumbing. Step to Training have recently taken on a team of NVQ 2 plumbing assessors to assess students in the work place and have also launched the Plumbing Level 3 Technical Certificate.

There does not seem to be any instant solution to the skills shortages across the building trades so for those prepared to put in the effort and show the commitment it can be a rewarding and enjoyable new career.

For further information on any of the courses mentioned above please contact Step to Training (UK) Ltd on 0845 257 1797 or visit the website at www.steptotraining.co.uk

About the author:
Philip Sykes is a focused individual who had the foresight to set up a company focusing on adult learners and career changers. With the barrier to entry for adults, Philip developed some of the first intense programmes for adults to enter the construction industry. Since our inception in April 2003, Step to Training has been the market leader in training for adult career changers wanting to get into the building trades. As a passionate, proactive and dynamic organisation we offer intense training courses to give adults the skills to get into the construction industry. www.steptotraining.co.uk

Step to Training (UK) Ltd
Lodge House
15 Gosditch Street
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 2AG
0845 257 1797 (phone)
07092 125 566 (fax)
Training Mature Career Changers
Building New Careers
www.steptotraining.co.uk