News

The Highways England Passport Scheme – Last chance for the discount!

June 27, 2018 By businessequip

So, there’s just a few days left to make the most of our Highways England Passport Scheme discount. The compulsory training, The Common Induction Course, is necessary to hold a passport card. The passport itself will be compulsory for anyone who works on Highways England sites.

Why book now?

Depending on the number of people you put through the course you could save a huge amount of money! It’s a compulsory course that you’ll need to complete to work on Highways England sites. So why not take advantage of our offer and reduce the cost?!

The training certification lasts for longer the sooner you do it. Highways England have increased the validity period of the certification if you complete the training sooner rather than later.

There are around 50,000 people that need to be trained in the industry. This is obviously a huge task logistically and there is bound to be a rush as the deadline date (April 2019) gets closer. By completing the training early, you can pick and choose dates to suit you! We’ve just created a plan to deliver Tarmac’s training which is staggered over six months. Because they decided to sort it early they were able to create a schedule to suit them!

Why is the Passport being brought in?

There are many reasons that the Highways England Passport Scheme has been designed. Below are just some of the reasons:

The reduction of site registration times using smart phone technology.
Quick and effective and accurate verification of people accessing the sites credentials ensuring that they are authorised to do so.
The technology provides an accurate register of the personnel and the skills that are on site at all times.
The improved management of risks associated with fatigue.
Organisations such as Network Rail will be aligned with the scheme allowing information to be shared when required.

Get in touch!

Give us a call on 0121 476 4731 email joe@fctrain.co.uk

or you can also

Enquire Here

Training In The Fencing Industry- Why Is It Important And What iIs Available?

June 19, 2018 By businessequip

Training In The Fencing Industry- Why Is It Important And What Is Available?

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 or visit our website, 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

Band of Builders – Demonstrating the power of unity and friendship!

April 18, 2018 By businessequip

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!’

Health and Safety Incidents and Outcomes – March 2018

March 26, 2018 By businessequip

We’ve identified a few health and safety incidents that have had their outcomes determined in March 2018. They demonstrate how important it is to complete the necessary training and to manage your workforce and assets correctly!

12^thMarch 2018 – Company fined for unlicensed and unsafe asbestos removal in a primary school.

R F Gardiner Limited who are based in Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 8(1), 11(1) and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,141.80.

An investigation by the HSE found that the cause of the unsafe and unlicensed asbestos removal was caused by poor planning.

The workers on the project were exposed to high levels of asbestos (airborne) fibres whilst completing the work. This was due to the lack of water suppression and the failure of the company to face-fit test the operatives for the protective masks they were wearing.

The company also failed to ensure that the asbestos was contained during removal by not setting up a negative pressure enclosure, this led to the asbestos fibres spreading to the surrounding area. Alongside this, the operatives were not provided with a way of decontaminating on site.

7^thMarch 2018 – Company fined after driver is killed in an incident involving a forklift.

A delivery driver in the employ of Mark Doel Transport Ltd was struck by a forklift whilst delivering to Glynwed Pipe Systems Ltd.

The HSE investigation has determined that Glynwed Pipe Systems Ltd failed to properly manage their yard area and their workplace vehicles which led to employees and members of the public being at risk of being involved in an incident.

The investigation also found that the existing procedures and precautions in place were not sufficient and ultimately not safe.

The company was fined £1 Million.

21^stMarch 2018 – Company fined after worker suffers two broken legs.

K Two Sales ltd have been fined after an employee suffered two broken legs. The employee was injured when a stack of metal sheets fell onto him.

The employee accessed the back of a guillotine machine to measure some off-cuts. Whilst removing one of the off-cuts from a stack the remainder fell onto him and broke his legs.

The company were found to have improper procedures in place to prevent the metal sheets from falling.

The HSE investigation found that the incident could have been avoided if the risk was identified.

K Two Sales Ltd were fined £22,000 and ordered to pay costs amounting to £1647.20

22^ndMarch 2018 – Company fined after several health and safety failings.

Quainton Logistics & Storage Ltd have been fined £14,000 and ordered to pay costs of £ 6,870.44.

The HSE investigation found that Quainton Logistics & Storage Ltd failed to implement measures that would manage the site work and also ensure the health and safety of their workers. The company also failed to implement the correct procedures for the removal of asbestos.

Workers smashed asbestos roof sheets with crow bars whilst removing them from a warehouse in Merseyside. There was also no PPE provided and workers were at risk of falling as no fall restraint equipment was used.

National Apprenticeship Week 2018 – Why are apprenticeships beneficial?

March 6, 2018 By businessequip

National Apprenticeship Week

It’s National Apprenticeship Week! We’d just like to say to all the apprentices and employers out there keep up the great work. Apprenticeships counter youth unemployment and help improve the skills base in the UK. This week is all about raising awareness of apprenticeships so please share this article and spread the word!

Evidently, apprenticeships are great for the apprentice. They give them the opportunity to learn outside the classroom and a route into an industry that they have an interest in. Some young people have no interest in formal education, however when they get involved in an apprenticeship they thrive and develop rapidly. We recently attended an event in Birmingham for young people looking for work opportunities. The passion and drive that was evident in many of the young people was great to see, and really demonstrates why apprenticeships are so successful.

Alongside the benefits to the apprentice, businesses also experience many different benefits to employing an apprentice. Increase in employee motivation, reduction of recruitment costs and an increase in productivity are just a few of the common reports from companies. Apprentices increase business productivity by on average £214 per week. 96% of businesses report that an apprentice is beneficial to their business. Clearly, an apprentice is a huge asset to a business.

apprenticeship

Help is Available

One of the main stumbling blocks businesses have when employing an apprentice is the cost of the training. Therefore, there are numerous funding provisions to assist with the cost of training. This, combined with the lower wage costs for an apprentice really soften the impact on the bottom line. If you throw in the increase in productivity the investment in training is very worthwhile. The fencing apprenticeship that we offer is funded and many businesses take advantage of this. The reduced cost of training coupled with the gain of a skilled staff member is too good to miss!

So, National Apprenticeship Week is all about raising awareness and creating opportunities. However, an apprenticeship is not just great for the apprentice, they are equally as beneficial to businesses.

If you’re interested in our apprenticeship scheme give us a call on 0121 476 4731

Enquire Here!