£6.5M world-class construction training centre for Wales

New centre opening in Wales which will offer innovative and world-class training for individuals and construction companies.

Government Leader of the House and Chief Whip Jane Hutt AM has welcomed plans to build a unique £6.5M construction training centre.

The Minister spoke about the potential of the new Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), which will train 1,100 people per year across Wales.

She highlighted the Welsh Government’s intention to provide the industry with a clear pipeline of public sector projects, along with the new centre representing construction as an attractive career choice. The government is committed to developing skills in Wales, as an imperative to its commitment to tacking poverty and disadvantage.

The CWIC will see partners from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and CITB develop a unique ‘Hub and Spoke’ training framework to deliver specialist construction training at all levels across all sectors and supply chains in Wales.

The CWIC’s “Hub” will be based at the University’s SA1 Swansea Waterfront. The “Spokes” will be located at colleges across Wales including: Coleg Sir Gâr, Coleg Ceredigion, Coleg Cambria in North Wales and Coleg y Cymoedd in South East Wales.

Funded by the CITB, the CWIC will be constructed and opened in 2018.

Speaking on CWIC at CITB Wales’ Board Dinner the Minister said: “I’m pleased that the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and a consortium led by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, is establishing the Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), to offer state-of-the-art facilities and world-class training for individuals and construction companies. Congratulations, it’s really great to hear about this centre.

“The Welsh Government is committed to supporting the construction sector and our joint investment program with CITB, Construction Futures Wales, which is targeted at facilitating the growth and development of companies has been, and continues to be, a success.”

Mark Bodger, Strategic Partnerships Director for CITB Cymru Wales, said:  “Over the years some apprentices have had to leave Wales to gain industry-recognised construction skills across the border. The CWIC will help ensure Wales has home-grown skills in place to meet the construction industry’s current and future needs. CWIC will be a major step forward for the construction industry in Wales.”

Gerald Naylor, Director Construction Wales Innovation Centre, said: “CWIC is already making strong connections between employers and the collaborative partnerships formed to deliver the specialist training courses and engagement events. The combined CWIC event with the Royal Society of Architects Wales and Constructing Excellence Wales drawing over 70 delegates is a perfect example of working together for the benefit of the wider industry.”

The Minister concluded her speech by saying that the government aim to create at least 100,000 all age apprenticeships overt the next five years, which will give people the opportunity to learn and get involved with multiple infrastructure projects.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here

The post £6.5M world-class construction training centre for Wales appeared first on UK Construction Online.