Higher Level Skills in the Construction Sector

1. Higher Level Skills in the Construction Sector Elaine Giles Vice Principal Corporate Development

2. Higher Level Skills in the Construction Sector • Project Overview • Key Data • Barriers • Higher Level Apprenticeships • Key Findings/lessons learnt • Future Opportunities/progression routes

3. Project Overview Aim • Increasing level 4+ qualifications in construction Why? • Skill gaps • Progression routes – TTG, Apprenticeships • No public funding for training beyond level 3 How? • Identifying benefits – employers and learners • Improving awareness of & access to higher level qualifications • Testing employer investment/incentives Target employers • SMEs in TTG or Apprenticeships in Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country

4. Key Data • Phase 1 - NVQs 56 employers, 61learners, 56 qualifications • Phase 2 – Foundation Degree Units 3 employers, 5 learners, 0 units • Phase 3 - HLAs 20 employers, 20 learners, 13 enrolled (to date) 61 learners – 33 achieved, 23 still in training, 5 withdrawn

5. Main Barriers • Cost of training & wage demands of higher qualified staff • CSCS Card - level 2/3 seen as sufficient to secure site clearance • Company size - micro companies did not feel level 4 relevant • Availability of qualifications locally • Range of competences required e.g. supervisory element • Length of courses • Inflexible delivery/ down time

6. Higher Level Apprenticeships Higher Level Apprenticeships framework must comply with: • Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England • Be based on National Occupational Standards • Consist of a competence element (NVQ) and a knowledge element – (FD/HND/C Tech. Cert.) • Include functional Skills in IT, English & Maths at level 2 • Knowledge of Equality & Diversity law & practices, employment law, the responsibilities of employers, health & safety legislation, career pathways & progression • Personal Learning and Thinking Skills • The use of Accreditation of Prior & Experiential Learning

7. Higher Level Apprenticeships in Construction Benefits • Good progression route from Advanced App, FD, HND/C • Mainly delivered in work place • NVQ element recognised by the industry – CSCS /legislative requirements Barriers • Delivery expensive if not treated as progression route – • 50% funding from employer & 50% as Advanced App • Shortage of assessors for delivery

8. Key Findings/Lessons Learnt • Flexible learning opportunities – work place delivery, varied delivery methods, flexible start dates, variable course length,bitesize/modular, flexible timetables & locations. • Strong links to occupational competence & workplace experience • Need to demonstrate employer benefits & business need • Value for money

9. Future Opportunities • Additional funding • New frameworks including building services • Opportunity to offer FD/HNC/Apprenticeship package • Progression routes on to other higher level qualifications