Date of article: 11/07/2007
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Figures released by ConstructionSkills show that nearly 3,500 construction companies in Scotland last year received over £16m in grants to help train their workforce.
However, this means only 45% of eligible construction companies in Scotland benefited from ConstructionSkills funding for training during 2006, meaning there are still thousands of employers, and employees that are yet to benefit from the grants. Companies of all sizes are now being urged to develop their workforce and improve their business through quality training.
Companies are being offered the added incentive of access to a record £140m in CITB-ConstructionSkills grants; the levy Grants division of Sector Skills Council, ConstructionSkills, as of August 1 this year. The increase in the funds follows industry consultation that identified key areas where grants are most needed and where the Scheme could be simplified to make it more accessible to employers.
Employers benefit most from a longer term approach to training, so grants to encourage firms to develop their people in a planned, structured way have increased in value. The level of grants available to support apprentices has also been increased to help more employers recruit and train the next generation of skilled workers. It follows the Government's announcement earlier this year that it wants more young people to continue in training and education to the age of 18.
ConstructionSkills grants are available to support a variety of training, covering initatives like qualifying existing workers, improving health and safety and training new recruits. With a Training and Development Plan in place, firms can claim grants for training in many disciplines that benefit their business, not only construction-based programmes but also computer skills, accountancy and administration.
Graeme Ogilvy, ConstructionSkills' Director for Scotland, said:"Increasing the number of companies investing in training is vital to improving the industry's performance. Grants support employers investing in high quality training, and for every £1,000 of Levy received in 2006, the industry received £1.90 in total benefits.
"With demand for construction soaring and a huge range of projects underway, training has never been more vital. It's also not just for the big firms; figures show that not investing in training could cost smaller businesses £1,700 per year through materials errors, skills shortages and on-site accidents."
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