The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has launched a new free e-learning programme to offer support within the construction industry
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity already offers online tutor-led masterclasses, seminars and onsite training via its Wellbeing Academy. This latest addition is aimed at providing workers with the skills required for budgeting, managing stress, bullying, resolving conflict and understanding anxiety and work-life balance.
Each of the free e-learning modules are delivered at two levels:
- Foundation Level 1 provides learners with an introduction to each subject, the key topic areas and an understanding of the language used in the next level.
- Foundation Level 2 presents scenarios where learners need to demonstrate their understanding of the subject, apply the skills learned and use logical reasoning to engage and master a variety of problems much like in real life.
What are the benefits of self-paced e-learning?
- Learning at own pace around other commitments
- Develops ownership of learning
- Creates a stress free learning process
- Learners demonstrate greater understanding of subject
- Develops confidence to apply new skills
Sarah Bolton, director of Charitable Services for the charity said: “We are constantly augmenting our charitable services to ensure that we meet the needs of our workforce.
“The very nature of our industry means that fitting a set training schedule around work and home life commitments doesn’t work for everyone and our self paced e-learning addresses that problem.
“Studies also show that this style of learning means people are more likely to retain knowledge on new subjects and therefore will feel more confident in applying those skills in real life.
“We also know that to support a positive wellbeing culture, we need to develop our workforce’s soft skills to help them negotiate the challenges of everyday life and working in what can be a very stressful environment.
“Our self-paced e-learning modules do exactly that and they are relevant to every person in our industry.
“Whether you’re a self-employed tradesperson, a site operative, project manager or office based, everyone will benefit from developing their soft skills and everyone needs to play their part.”
Construction workers are nearly four times more likely to take their own lives
Mental health problems cost the overall UK economy £117.9bn annually, according to the LSE – roughly 5% of the UK’s GDP.
Construction has always been an industry that has had a number of pressures, from the masculine macho culture, to time away from families, long hours, tight deadlines and more.
With a turbulent economy, these factors worsen, with high costs forcing companies to work at a loss, budget cuts, hard-to-obtain supplies and employees, and numerous other challenges facing the sector, adding to the further pressures on its workers.
On average, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 69% of all suicides. In the construction sector alone, 29 out of 1,000 men lose their life to suicide every year – almost twice the national average.
Mates in Mind, a leading UK charity raising awareness and addressing the stigma of poor mental health, has conducted an extensive amount of research and one topic that recurs when discussing what stops men from seeking support for their mental health is stigma.
When undertaking research for SMEs and sole traders in the industry, almost half of our respondents reported that they found ‘talking about my mental health extremely difficult’ and almost 70% agreed that ‘there is a stigma about mental health which stops people from talking about it’.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, reach out for free and confidential support now 24/7 Construction Industry Helplines; 0345 605 1956, (UK) 1800 939 122 (ROI) Text HARDHAT to 85258 (UK) 50808 (ROI)
To register for all of the e-learning modules and to find out more about all of the training available, visit the Wellbeing Academy.
