Industry-led scaffolding training initiative to increase capacity

19th February 2018

The Scaffolding Association has unveiled plans to increase training and skills delivery capacity for access and scaffolding contractors by setting up the Access Industry Training Scheme (AITS), an employer-led training solution that will help to expand the training and skills development capacity in the access and scaffolding industry.

Last year the Scaffolding Association commissioned research into the availability of training for new entrants in the access and scaffolding sector. The survey found that one fifth of training centres was either unreachable or unable to offer training dates. The survey also found that only six courses out of 30 were scheduled to be run in London – an area that represents 40 per cent of total construction demand.

The CITB also confirmed its plans last month to exit direct delivery of training through the National Construction College, the main provider of scaffold and access training in the sector. Dave Mosely, the NASC training director and CISRS manager, has written to NASC members to say he fears that the uncertainty in the interim period could have a negative effect on course availability.

Robert Candy, chief executive of the Scaffolding Association, said: “Clearly there are concerns around course availability, which is why the Association has established the Access Industry Training Scheme to increase training capacity and offer new opportunities for both our members and the wider industry.”

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www.access-its.org