EDITORIAL

Welcome to the latest Devon Construction Training Newsletter.  Our workshop programme is about to get under way so read all about it and book your place(s).  Our training programme is continuing to run on a ‘demand led’ basis.  The deal is you tell me what you want and I do it.  Don’t wait for me to guess your needs.  It really is good to talk and now is the time to think about taking on that apprentice......so start thinking and make that call.

Mike Eden

FEATURES

In this issue: 

Apprentices, First Aid at Work, Site Supervisors Safety Training, Latest on the Training CD and Video Library, Workshop Programme, Asbestos Training, Toolbox Talks, Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Acts and Cutting out the Middleman by booking your course directly with the provider.

Apprentices – time to start thinking about taking on an apprentice.

At this time of the year apprenticeship recruitment should be high on the agenda. Here are some pointers.

If you are planning to take on an apprentice please contact Graham Wilkins ConstructionSkills Apprenticeship Officer, on 07775 534037.  If you are an employer outside the South Devon area Graham will pass your details on to the appropriate Apprenticeship Officer in your area.

As well as the traditional apprenticeship route, employers now have the option of taking on what is called a Programme Led Apprentice. This is an apprentice who has studied full time in college and so has the knowledge and practical abilities, has passed the Health and Safety Test but needs supervised experience on site to become skilled at the job. This could take between 6 to 12 months. There is no college attendance required as assessments will take place on site. Currently there is support of up to £3000 for registered employers taking on a PLA apprentice before the end of June. If this is of interest you need to move quickly and contact Graham Wilkins or give me a call.

STEP into construction, another aspect of apprentice recruitment is a scheme aimed at the under representation of black minority ethnic people and women in non-traditional occupations within the construction industry. The employee can be recruited into any construction role, including electrical and plumbing but not admin roles.

STEP funding is available to support a work trial of a job ready candidate where a genuine vacancy exists. A work trial may last for up to ten days, followed by an interview when the employer will be able recruit on merit alone. The funding rate for work trials is £20 per day payable direct to the employer which can be claimed by the completion of two simple forms. If you are interested just let me know and I will send you further details. Or you can cut out the middleman and give Graham Wilkins a call.

First Aid at Work

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 requires employers to ensure that their staff have undergone sufficient training and have provided suitable equipment to ensure that anyone who is taken ill or has an accident at work receives immediate and appropriate care. 

The Health and Safety Executive have also just announced that from "early 2009" all works first aiders will be required to undertake an annual 3 hour skills update and refresher course.

Let me know if you need First Aid Training. It can be arranged for you at a place near you.

Site Supervisors – getting qualified

There have been a number of requests for the Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS). This is a two day certificated scheme designed for those requiring an understanding of the current legislation that applies to them and their work activities and provides an introduction to health and safety, welfare and environmental issues.

Arrangements are now in hand to run the course in the Exeter area. Dates and venue details available on request.

 Training CDs and Videos Library

We now have available a library of training CD’s and videos for members to borrow.

These include:

Tool Box Talks Presenters Course

Construction Site Safety Auditing System

Safe Start

Don’t become a statistic

Who’s Going to Be Next?

One Step Ahead

Going Home Tonight?

Site Safety Simplified

All the Questions and Answers from the ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test (CD-ROM)

All the Questions and Answers from the ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test - Edition 8

Getting it Right at Height

If you wish to borrow any of the above, let me know and I will chase it up for you.

Workshop Programme

The Group’s workshop programme is about to get under way.  This will include workshops on Fire Safety Planning and also on Waste Management but we start with the first of three workshops for those who are stepping up into supervisory or first line management positions.  This programme will complement the two day Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme and will cover leadership techniques, the art of delegation; motivating people and managing and dealing effectively with poor performance. The first workshop will look at goal setting & planning, time principles, procrastination and assertiveness.

The workshop will run from 4.00pm for 7.00pm and the programme starts on 28^th May.  It will be in the Exeter area and as with all our workshops they are free to members.  For non-members there will be a fee of £100 for the programme of three workshops.  Full details will be sent out in the next day or two, but if you have not reserved a place, please do so now as numbers for this programme are necessarily limited.

Other workshops which follow are designed especially for Women Working in Construction, but more of that nearer the date.

Toolbox Talks

Are you comfortable with your toolbox talks?

If you sometimes think you do not have the necessary knowledge or skills to adequately organise and present a toolbox talk, then the Group can help you call on a trainer to do your talk for you. That way you can concentrate on doing what you do best while someone else does for you what he does best.

If you need to call on a trainer just let me know and I will organise it for you.
 

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act
 

Did you know that you are vulnerable to personal prosecution if something goes seriously wrong through your shortcomings?

ConstructionSkills has just launched a new free guide to help companies understand the implications of the new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act – which came into force on the 6 April.

The Guide, entitled “Guidance for Small and Medium Enterprises” is predominantly targeted at directors of SMEs and includes guidance on actions to make sure a company is up to speed with current legislation and health and safety good practice.

The Guide is FREE and can be ordered on-line from:  www.cskills.org/publications

STOP PRESS:

I am organising an Asbestos Awareness Course in June in or near Exeter.  It is a half day course and will cost £40 per delegate.  I already have 7 names and the  maximum number of delegates is 12.  If demand exceeds this I will organise a second course which will mean the delegate rate could come down to around £30.  Let me know if you need this.

WEB DESIGN

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01202 699860

or email: chrisphopkins@yahoo.co.uk

or visit: www.your-own-page.co.uk

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