Building a Career in Construction

The construction industry is screaming out for skilled craftsmen and we often read about plumbers earning more than university graduates. That’s got to be a tempting choice, and one that is particularly popular with service leavers and those considering their future careers after a life in uniform.

There are lots of training opportunities and it’s worth spending time searching the internet for a training provider that will suit your needs. Many even help you search for jobs and provide leads for you to follow.

BUILDER TRAINING CENTRES
Builder Training Centres Ltd (The BTC) has been assisting service leavers in making successful transitions from military to civilian life for over 10 years now. The company has met the MOD’s criteria to permit it to run courses that qualify for ELC funding (at Level 3 and above), and as such is listed on the ELC administration service (ELCAS) as an approved provider. BTC is therefore able to offer training using Standard Learning Credits (SLC) and Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC).

BTC endeavours to make the process for those wishing to attend its courses through resettlement as hassle free as possible and offer competitive packages, including bed, breakfast and evening meal.

Once your training package has been agreed, you will be required to send BTC the MOD form 1746 (Agreement for CWA/CTA and advance of fees claim form) for them to fill in and return to you. On completion of your courses, you will need to produce the form 1748 (Attendance at CWA/CTA confirmation and claim form). These forms can be downloaded from the website, www.ctp.org.uk. The Builder Training Centre opened in 2003 to address the shortage of construction courses for those in the building trade and for those trying to get into it, and anyone looking for practical DIY courses for beginners. The Centre opened offering short intensive practical hands-on courses, then in 2005, expanded the Electrical Centre with the introduction of electrical qualifications by becoming an EAL Approved Centre. In 2007 it expanded the department again by offering City & Guilds electrical qualifications. All its electrical courses are run from its second centre, a very short walk away, in Stafford Road, Croydon.

All of the BTC electrical courses include qualifications, with the exception of the foundation and advanced courses. Other courses are aimed at giving students hands-on practical experience and, although a formal qualification is not obtained, you will receive a certificate of continuous professional development on completion.

Sgt Keith Earl of Wiltshire was extremely satisfied with his BTC Course. He said: “I found that the resettlement package that was offered by The Builder Training Centre was by far the best value of the four places I looked at. The structure of the four courses I did was very good. “The training facilities were excellent. The instructors’ knowledge and experience was outstanding. I found you could ask about any project that you are working on and would get good advice.” You can find out more about what BTC has to offer by visiting the website and completing the user-friendly form or by telephoning 0800 389 2275.

 

FULLAGAR CONSTRUCTION SKILLS CENTRE
Fullagar Construction Skills Centre is a private training provider based in st1 ignored St Helens, Merseyside offering construction courses for the construction industry, and has been trading in this sector since 2006.

The courses that are on offer range from short courses, bespoke courses to accredited Level 1 City & Guilds courses, Level 2 and Level 3 CSkills accredited courses for trades and apprentices’ and Level 3 unit credit awards accredited with OCNWMR for its Forces resettlement courses.

Fullagar Construction Skills Centre is a preferred supplier to the CTP, and in 2013 received approval from ELCAS for learners to use their enhance learning credits.

Maurice and Jeanette Fullagar, the directors, work closely with tutors and assessors to ensure anyone who wants to progress within the construction trades will receive the best possible tuition, using materials to suit the task. The tutors and assessor are all qualified with years of experience in construction and understand how to help you achieve your goals, be it DIY projects, to gain employment with a company or to become your own boss.

Maurice and Jeanette are proud to have worked with blue chip company B&Q for many years and their verdict was ‘Fullagar’s was a great place to train.’

The Centre works with small, medium enterprises within construction to companies working on multi million pound contracts. They are currently working with multiple housing associations to qualify their new apprentices to move forward. Maurice Fullagar said: “We are a preferred supplier to the CTP and ELCAS. We work with the armed services and individuals wanting trades and the reason learners and companies come back, is the knowledge that they will be given 100 percent support. Our learners enjoy their time with us and achieve their potential. Many will also ask for help after they have completed their training, by contacting the Centre, and advice is on hand for them.”

If you want to know more about how Fullagar construction Skills centre can help you have a look at the company website, www.constructionskillscentre.co.uk or telephone 01744 819000.

 

TRAIN4ALL
Another training provider that can help you on your way in the construction industry is Train4All. It is one of the leading providers of training for the construction industry. Located at the heart of the West Country, it is ideally located to provide training for Somerset, Dorset, Devon, the South West and beyond.

Train4All Construction Academy was opened in 2008 to provide training for those working in or looking to enter into a career within the Construction Industry with the first centre being established in Chard, Somerset. In 2010, the Chard centre was expanded in order to accommodate additional learners from the local community. A second centre was opened in Glastonbury to assist local learners in the Mendip area who could not afford to travel to larger colleges in the region.

Due to an increased demand for quality construction training in the Mendip region, in 2011 Train4All relocated from Glastonbury and opened its biggest centre just 10 minutes away in Street to accommodate 100 additional learners within that area. A brand new Construction Academy is under development at Badgers Cross in Somerton to cater for even more learners, employers and armed forces leavers. The new Academy will offer larger workshops, and separate training facilities with corporate meeting rooms that are available for hire.

The Academy prides itself in offering a relaxed friendly atmosphere yet with a professional feel. A highly skilled team of 14 trainers with extensive industrial experience and expertise in the subjects explain and demonstrate their specialisations in a way that is easy for learners to understand. With no distractions, learners attending can completely focus on their construction training and enjoy training in a setting closely related to a construction working environment.

Armed Forces resettlement learners can engage in training using their IRTC, SLC and ELC grants and as a preferred CTP supplier and ELCAS member (6472) Train4All is able to accommodate every training need.

One former Royal Marine was delighted with his short plastering course. He said: “Brilliant Plastering course ~ I learnt far more than I anticipated. I now wish I’d booked all my courses with Train4All now instead of moving around. The team have outstanding knowledge and the workshops are well equipped. I would not hesitate in recommending Train4All Academy for resettlement training.” For more details visit the Train4All website www.train4all.co.uk or telephone 01460 261179. There is also an easy-to-use enquiry form on the website.