The Northern Ireland construction skills council has opened its first office in Belfast city centre, coinciding with the launch of its Building Northern Ireland campaign.

ConstructionSkills, represents a wide range of employers - from contractors to professional firms.

The body's latest campaign is focused on improving the skills of the current Northern Ireland workforce, with the aim to make the Province "a great place to live and work".

ConstructionSkills said it recognises the current economic downturn, however, it says recent research, from the ConstructionSkills Network, highlights that the NI construction industry is forecast to grow over the next few years.

The body has encouraged building companies to look beyond the current economic situation and concentrate on the future up - skilling needs of not only present but also future employees.

Through the Building Northern Ireland campaign, ConstructionSkills will highlight key training themes, and profile NI companies who demonstrate best practice within these themes.

The first training theme of the campaign is management and leadership.

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A recent survey, conducted by ConstructionSkills last year, found that only 29% of construction firms trained their managers to a formal qualification.

ConstructionSkills has emphasised the success of Ballymena-based Martin & Hamilton, who claims its commitment to training managers and supervisors made a difference to the company - on all levels.

Martin & Hamilton has been providing quality construction across Northern Ireland for over 40 years.

The firm was recently awarded Chartered Building Company status by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the leading professional body for managers in construction. This accreditation recognises professionalism and quality workmanship in the contracts completed by the contractor.

A commitment to developing staff and encouraging them to become Chartered Builders played a vital role in achieving the accreditation.

Managing Director of Martin & Hamilton, David Hamilton, said: "We have always worked hard to build our reputation upon delivering quality and value. The only way that we can do this is by having an appropriately qualified and trained team in place.

"At Martin & Hamilton we are dedicated and committed to training every member of staff - especially managers and supervisors.

"We currently have 16 staff at managerial level. We have a dedicated resource focusing on sharing and providing appropriate training for our managerial staff.

Martin & Hamilton has pledged its supports for the Building Northern Ireland campaign.

Mr Hamilton said: "We are all too aware of the importance of developing and supporting staff via training. Without highly skilled and qualified managers we would not be in a position to be accredited with our Chartered Building Company status."

The firm is one of only eight industry bodies with the charter, which according to Mr Hamilton, has "opened the doors to many new and exciting projects".

If you are interested in supervisory or management level training please telephone CITB's Training Support Team on 028 9082 5466 or visit www.citbni.org.uk

(PR)