Training, the dreaded word that a lot of companies avoid until it’s too late. However, the most successful businesses embrace training and have a happier and safer workforce. So, this article is all about changing your perception, and showing you the benefits of training! We’ll also detail what fencing training is available.

Why Train?

As you’re aware there are elements of training that are legal requirements. The legislation makes it imperative that you complete the training. However, training is not just about ticking boxes. Think about the client’s perception, will they be more likely to opt for a company that has all of their training in place and have also gone the extra mile to ensure the efficiency and safety of their work force? Or one that hasn’t? In a world in which health and safety is increasingly under the spotlight, training can hugely impact the image of your business.

Alongside this, staff members are motivated by companies that invest in them and their future. Your workforce will be more motivated if they feel valued and important! This will also increase the loyalty of your workforce. It is reported that those who can see their company investing in them are four times more likely to stick around, reducing your staff turnover.

Training is also all about improving existing skills and learning new ones. Training your staff will make them better at their jobs and it will allow them to complete jobs more effectively. As businesses we should always be striving to improve the quality of what we provide, and training is one way to do this! As the famous saying goes ‘There is always room for improvement’.

One of the most important reasons for training in the fencing industry is to help new entrants learn the skills of the trade alongside addressing the industry wide skills and staff shortage. If this great industry to which we belong is to continue and thrive we need new entrants and we need them now!

What is available?

FUNDING FUNDING FUNDING! The government have provided funding to build upon the skills and secure the future of the industry. Funding is available to support the achievement of Blue FISS CSCS cards, which are now the standard requirement on many sites in the UK.

Many sites now also require the CITB Site Safety Plus programme of courses. These courses can also be used as part of the requirement for the different levels of FISS CSCS card.

There are also many vocational courses that can be utilised to upskill your workforce. Courses such as; Abrasive Wheels, Cat and Genny, Safe use of Power Tools and much more!

Below we’ve provided a list of some of the courses and qualifications that are also available:

Qualifications

Level 1 Health and Safety for Labourers

Apprenticeships (Funded)

Level 2 Diploma for Installers (Funded)

Level 3 Diploma for Supervisors and Contract Managers

Level 5 Diploma For Senior Managers

 

Health and Safety

Health and Safety Awareness for Fencers and Labourers

Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme

Site Management Safety Training Scheme

Health and safety testing

Vocational

Cat & Genny

Manual handling

Safe use of abrasive wheels

Safe use of power tools

Asbestos awareness

And many more

Get in touch if there is something that you would like more information about. You can also click on the course names above which will direct you to the course pages.

Give us a call on 0121 476 4731

You can also enquire here.

Company fined after a scaffolder was injured in fall from height.

03/05/2018

A Yorkshire based scaffolding company has been fined £33,333.33 and ordered to pay £14,368.40 in costs. They were ordered to pay after a worker fell around 4 metres through a fragile roof light on an asbestos cement sheet roof.

The worker sustained numerous serious injuries including; a dislocated and fractured wrist, crushed nerves in his wrist, a broken nose and also sprains to his shoulder and ankle.

An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) made the discovery that the scaffolding company did not identify that the workers were carrying out work on a fragile roof. Therefore, they failed to put measures in place that would prevent falls and protect the workers.

The HSE inspector commented: “Working on a fragile roof is a known risk in the industry and this accident could have been prevented.”

Company fined after worker loses tip of finger.

02/05/2018

A metal fabrication company has been fined £4,000 and also ordered to pay £957.65 in costs. The fine was issued after an investigation by the HSE after a worker was injured using a machine.

The incident happened when the worker was using a machine to drill a hole in a metal fence post. The glove on her  hand got entangled with the drill-bit and the workers finger was amputated to the first knuckle.

The HSE inspector commented that: “This injury could have been prevented by putting in place a simple guarding measure.”

Construction company fined after death of worker.

02/05/2018

A Swindon based construction company has been fined £200,000 and also ordered to pay costs of £5565.80 after the death of a worker. The employee was driving a forward tipping dumper in May 2016. The dumper became stuck on a spoil heap, the employee then jumped off the vehicle, which then flipped over and caused serious head injuries to the employee. The employee unfortunately died from these injuries.

The HSE found that there were no barriers in place to prevent over-running. They also found that an excavator had removed some of the spoil heap which created a sheer face.

The HSE inspector said: “The risk associated with creating spoil heaps had not been properly assessed. Either the company should have decided on a safer method which avoided the need for the dumper to access spoil heaps (as they have done after the accident), or they should have introduced stricter management arrangements which would have included bunds at a safe distance from the edge.”

 

These cases are just a few examples of what happens if health and safety is neglected. They also demonstrate how serious the consequences can be for the workforce. 

HIGHWAYS ENGLAND PASSPORT SCHEME – LAST CHANCE FOR OUR DISCOUNT

The Highways England Passport Scheme is being implemented across the industry and training is in full swing.

We are offering a 10% discount on training booked and paid for before July 2018.

That means you have just over a two months to get it booked in!

Don’t miss out on our discount and get in touch now…..

Give us a call: 0121 476 4731

or

Enquire Here

If you haven’t heard of Band of Builders where have you been?!

They are an organisation that first came to my attention when I started my job at Fencing and Construction Training. I was tasked with starting a company blog and I was on the lookout for stories to write about. I hit the jackpot when I discovered Band of Builders.

For an organisation that brings such joy and positivity they were born out of the most tragic of circumstances. Keith Ellick, a close friend and colleague of Addam Smith the founder of Band of Builders, was devastatingly diagnosed with terminal cancer. Upon hearing this distressing news, Addam wanted to do anything in his power to help his mate.

So Addam, doing what he does best, decided to landscape Keith’s garden. However, with the overwhelming support of construction businesses from all over the UK, the plan developed into a full-scale renovation of Keith’s house.

Lovely stuff right? Well Addam didn’t stop there. He recognised the joy and comfort he provided for Keith and his family was needed by many others. Addam was astonished by the support from like minded tradesmen, and Band of Builders was born!

Since the first project Band of Builders has demonstrated the strength of unity and willpower.  Undertaking multiple projects, Band of Builders have impacted so many people and shown the whole world what it is to be selfless and what joy can be found in helping people.

Band of Builders – Get involved

A big help in raising money for the projects is the sale of their own branded clothing, workwear and accessories. They are also heavily supported by company and personal fundraisers which you can find out more about here.

They’ve also created a community using their Facebook page where tradesmen can go to share stories, offer and ask for advice and just have a laugh.

So, we just wanted to raise some awareness and ask for you to get involved if you can! Whether that be helping on a project, running a fundraiser or just buying something from their site. In the words of Tesco….. ‘Every Little Helps!’