Construction Workforce Initiative Launched

Maurice Johnston Chairman CITB NI, Minister Stephen Farry, John Armstrong CEF, Barry Neilson CITB NI and Michael Mulholland launching Qualifying the Existing Workforce and celebrating the 500th candidate.
Maurice Johnston Chairman CITB NI, Minister Stephen Farry, John Armstrong CEF, Barry Neilson CITB NI and Michael Mulholland launching Qualifying the Existing Workforce and celebrating the 500th candidate.

Minister for Employment & Learning, Dr Stephen Farry has launched the second phase of the ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ initiative at Nutts Corner Training Centre.

The project aims to qualify 1000 currently unqualified, experienced, employed construction workers to NVQ Level 2, helping to increase productivity and meet the industry’s skills challenge.

The project is a joint initiative by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), CITB NI and the Joint Council for the Building & Civil Engineering Industry (NI).

Speaking at the launch Dr Farry said, “Our main asset is our people. It is on the basis of their talents and skills that we will transform our economy, increase employment, raise productivity and compete globally. The ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ project has already recognised those skills amongst those in the construction sector. We are now and continuing with the second phase of the project to ensure we have a better skilled workforce which will assist to drive this industry and our economy forward. ”

More in the next print issue of Plant & Civil Engineer.