The second phase of the 'Qualifying the Existing Workforce' initiative has been launched at the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB) Nutts Corner Training Centre.

The 'Qualifying the Existing Workforce' project aims to qualify 1,000 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 NI and the Joint Council for the Building & Civil Engineering Industry (NI).

-- Advertisement --

Tandragee concrete and piling company Bullivant Taranto qualified 48 candidates through the project and had the 500th candidate that achieved an NVQ through the first phase of the project.

Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB NI, said: "It is encouraging that in these economic times the 'Qualifying the Existing Workforce' project has been so successful and we are delighted to secure funding for the second phase in order to continue the momentum in the construction industry.

"Our research shows that the economy is turning the corner and the NI construction industry will benefit from that. It is therefore essential that we identify and address the skills and training needs of the workforce necessary for the long term future of the sector."

(CD/JP)