A new skills academy has been launched by the Chartered Institute of Building in an attempt to improve productivity in the UK construction sector
A skills academy has been launched that will deliver training to boost construction productivity.
The new training centre, which was developed by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), will include courses on digital construction, building conservation, and accident investigation. Training has been designed “by the industry, for the industry” and will “meet the needs of an industry that is undergoing unprecedented technological change whilst embracing new challenges, such as smart cities and the low carbon economy”.
Training courses offered
The CIOB said courses will be offered in both technical subjects, but also in other areas such as contract negotiation, report writing, project planning and contract management. It is hoped this will increase personal effectiveness.
The academy will offer two different routes to become chartered. This comprises of a Construction Conversion course. This is aimed at graduates with non-construction backgrounds.
The second is a Chartered Membership Programme. This will help those in the construction field to achieve degree level recognition.
The CIOB said it will also use the academy to launch its own certifications programme. This will enable professional to demonstrate their skills are up to date with industry and legislative requirements.
A free online CPD session will also be offered in the future. This will include a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Ethics and Compliance.
Courses will be taught by experienced professionals, with each syllabus tested by expert focus groups to ensure lessons remain relevant to specific job roles.
Targeted training
Holly Walton, an engineer and the academy’s head, said: “Targeted training has an enormous impact on businesses, saving time and money and empowering employees.
“The academy will set a new benchmark in training standards. It has been created in response to strong demand from CIOB members who are looking for a consistent quality offering from a brand that they can trust.”
