In a move to upskill the local construction industry and help drive the economy forward the free NVQ Level 2 qualifications on offer for experienced construction workers will continue until March 2014.
The Qualifying the Existing Workforce project was launched last year to provide qualifications for those already working in the construction industry, but who were not qualified.
The project, a joint initiative between CITB-ConstructionSkills NI and the Joint Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry, was funded by the Department for Employment and Learning and this funding has been extended for a further 12 months.
Barry Neilson, chief executive CITB-ConstructionSkills NI said: “We are delighted the project will continue into 2014. It is a great opportunity for construction employees to be qualified and be ahead of the game.
“Approximately 9,000 people currently working in the sector are not qualified to the appropriate standard. 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. We encourage construction workers to sign up and claim their free qualification not only to help themselves but also the local industry.”
Nine assessment centres have been awarded the contract to assess the candidates across the whole of Northern Ireland. Thirty-seven occupations are available through the project, ranging from brick laying to wall and floor tiling and registration is currently open.
There are three routes available for obtaining the qualification – portfolio building, on-site assessment and experienced worker.
For full details of on qualifications available and a list of the assessment centres log on to www.citbcsni.org.uk and follow the links for Free NVQ’s or call CITB-ConstructionSkills NI on 028 9082 5466.
* CITB-ConstructionSkills NI, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is also working in partnership with experienced heritage contractors and organisations and to offer on-the job training opportunities. Areas include heritage painting, traditional plastering, conservation woodwork and joinery, stone masonry and conservation metalwork.