Deputy Skills Minister launches construction Higher Apprenticeship in Wales
A new construction higher apprenticeship was officially launched this week by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Julie James AM.
The Level 4 CIOB Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Site Supervision, is the first time a Construction Industry higher apprenticeship has been developed with a professional body in Wales. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Wales has worked with the Construction Industry Training Board Cymru Wales (CITB), Welsh Government and Welsh training providers and employers to develop a higher apprenticeship that meets the needs of the industry. With the Welsh construction sector continuing to grow, there is huge demand for more construction supervisors.
The Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship is now being piloted at Coleg Sir Gar, Pembrokeshire College and Coleg Ceredigion, before potentially being rolled out across Wales. The apprenticeship that incorporates the very practical CIOB Level 4 Certificate in Site Management qualification will provide a supportive and smoother route to the role of supervisor and potentially manager.
Speaking at the launch the Deputy Minister said:
“I am delighted to launch the new Higher Level Apprenticeship in Site Supervision which we’ve developed in collaboration with CITB, CIOB, training providers and employers.
“This vocational qualification will help senior craftsmen to progress to the first level of supervisory management and provide a key stepping stone within the construction sector that had previously been missing.
“The jobs of tomorrow will require higher levels of competence. Higher Apprenticeships provide valuable opportunities to acquire in-demand skills and are an important route to high value professions.”
Attending the event were the apprentices currently undertaking the course at Coleg Sir Gar, including Sion Brooks who spoke at the event and spoke of his future career aspirations in the industry.
Mark Bodger, Strategic Partnerships Director for CITB Cymru Wales, said: “The new higher apprenticeship is a great example of collaboration, with industry working closely with the Welsh Government to create a qualification that is much needed in Wales.
“The new higher apprenticeship model will give those who already have construction experience the training they need to take their career to the next level.”
Bridget Bartlett, Deputy Chief Executive for the CIOB said:
“These are exciting times for construction in Wales which is projected to see annual average output growth of 5.8% over the 2015 to 2019 period, double the UK rate of 2.9%. This output growth rate is expected to drive strong employment with growth averaging 2.4% a year, again well above the UK average of 1.5%. The industry and talented Construction Managers who are capable of tackling some of the biggest built environment challenges facing society are key to making this happen.
There is also a long history of enabling people from all kinds of background to fulfil their potential and this apprenticeship is another example of that. It will match the ambitions those who want to take the next steps into management and can inspire the next generation to make a career in construction.”
