BCSA training initiative launched

BCSA said it is in the planning stage for what will be the most wide ranging and comprehensive training programme for the steel industry.

Covering all skills and aspects of the industry, from on-site tasks to fabrication, and steelwork design to social skills, the BCSA hopes to provide the steel construction industry with a new training initiative which covers the wider human resource (HR) needs of the sector.

“With increasing steel construction output it is vital that the industry maintains, refreshes and develops its skills base,” said Dr Derek Tordoff, BCSA Director General.

“We’ve surveyed and had plenty of feedback from the industry,” said Dr Tordoff. “Now we know what the sector needs, we’re in the process of putting something into place.”

Dr Tordoff said the BCSA will be seeking to organise nationwide courses and certification, while a number of existing training programmes would be added to the framework.

Meanwhile, boosting take-up of university entry for civil and structural engineering degree courses is also being examined.

“The scheme will cover all skills vital to getting a job done successfully,” added Dr Tordoff.

A number of issues will be covered in the initiative and these will include: establishing a simple business case for better HR management; agreeing with client sectors how professional HR will be developed for the steel sector; providing the means for RQSC recognition of best HR practice, and developing suitable HR key performance indicators for the industry.