Minister for Employment & Learning, Dr Stephen Farry has launched a project to upskill the construction workforce.

The 'Qualifying the Existing Workforce' project will train 500 currently unqualified, experienced, employed construction workers to NVQ Level 2, helping to increase productivity and meet the industry’s skills challenge.

The project is a joint initiative by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), CITB-ConstructionSkills NI and the Joint Council for the Building & Civil Engineering Industry.

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Speaking at the launch Dr Farry said: "It is vital that employers and their staff continue to train through these challenging economic times and this is particularly important for the construction sector. Around 80% of the 2020 workforce are already in employment. If we are to be globally competitive, we must enhance the skills of our people at all levels. Through the Qualifying the Workforce project, we will help upskill those working in this sector ensuring we have a better skilled workforce which will assist to drive this industry and our economy forward."

Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI said: "It is essential that we identify and address the skills and training needs of the workforce necessary for the long term future of the sector. Approximately 9,000 people currently working in the sector are not qualified to the appropriate standard and this project addresses the skills levels required for the industry now and in the future."

(CD)