The Sector Skills Council for the places where we live and work
Careers Advice Line 0800 056 7160
Nov 2011
Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert AM is attending an event to celebrate a training and apprenticeship programme for the built environment.
The programme, run by Asset Skills, has changed the training landscape by delivering new apprenticeships and qualifications to hundreds of staff in facilities management, cleaning, property, planning and housing.
The event is being held on 23 November at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. It will mark training offered as part of the Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) programme, funded by the Welsh Government with additional support from the European Social Fund (ESF).
"The demand for this programme has been massive with Welsh employers oversubscribing the original candidate target fourfold in some qualifications," said Steven Proudfoot, Chief Operating Officer at Asset Skills.
"The programme brought new qualifications to Wales that were previously unavailable. We have been able to put 230 candidates through courses - it's had a really positive effect on these industries throughout a very difficult time."
Asset Skills will also be launching its UK Academy for Wales following its success in England. The UK Academy is a membership organisation that helps ease the training process for employers in business services, housing and property in England and Scotland.
"By bringing our academy programme to Wales, we hope to extend the advantages of the SPF training programme even further afield," said Mr Proudfoot.
The event offers an opportunity to hear about the benefits employers and staff have gained through workplace training and to find out how the Academy can help Welsh industry meet its future training needs.
If you would like further information please email ukacademy@assetskills.org or call 0844 822 2525 (local rate call).
Kevin Rees has worked in the property services department at Family Housing Association (Wales Ltd) for five years.
The organisation has 2,300 properties and Kevin's job is to manage service contracts worth more than £500,000 a year, in areas such as fire protection, gas maintenance and window cleaning.
A year ago Kevin became the first person in Wales to sign up to the new Apprenticeship in Facilities Management. He completed the level 3 training in 11 months.
"As a landlord we are obliged to ensure each property and the communal areas are safe," said Kevin. "For instance, if a lift breaks it can be extremely upsetting for vulnerable people. I have to ensure everything is working as it should which can be stressful at times. The knowledge I gained on the programme has helped me feel more confident and already I'm finding I am making decisions quicker. It was no mean feat doing the course in 11 months but I succeeded and now have a real sense of achievement."
Kevin's manager Darrin Davies, Head of Property Services, said: "The course has provided Kevin with the right skills and motivation to successfully manage contracts in excess of half a million pounds. We are very proud of him."
The Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) programme was launched in 2010 and provides funding for strategic projects delivered by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) which will pilot delivery of skills that are more responsive and aligned to the needs of employers. The project will also fund Labour Market Intelligence to identify future skills and training that will be required by employers.
The programme is pan Wales, managed by the Welsh Government, supported by the European Social Fund in convergence areas.
The qualifications covered by this Asset Skills project include:
Most of the qualifications are fully funded, but some require a contribution from the employer.
A range of projects are now in progress and will run until 31st December 2011, many involving Apprenticeships or other skills initiatives. These projects will also inform further policy on skills delivery in Wales.
For more on the Sector Priorities Fund Pilot contact Chris Perrin (Welsh Government) on 01443 663719 or email on: sectorprioritiesfundpilot@wales.gsi.gov.uk
