Paisley training centre plans designed to address construction skills shortages

JR Training Services has revealed plans to build a new training facility in Paisley to help tackle construction industry skills shortages.

Plans for the purpose-built facility on Wallneuk Road have already been submitted to Renfrewshire Council, including details of dedicated training rooms, office spaces and breakout areas.

Parking for trainees has also been accounted for, while a new scaffold area will allow attendees to get hands-on with practical training activities.

The facility will act as the home for JR Training Services, which is headed up by Ronnie Charters who has 35 years of construction industry experience, including health and safety advisor, trainer and assessor roles at the National Construction College CITB. He is currently NASC regional chair for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Should the plans be given the green light, JR said the team will utilise the accredited training centre to deliver a range of ‘industry-leading’ construction industry courses.

The planned programme includes specialist CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) courses, such as a five-day scaffolding supervisor course and two-day refresher. CITB-accredited health & safety and site management courses and NEBOSH-certified courses will also be delivered via the facility.

Ronnie Charters said, “These ambitious plans could bring a dedicated, state-of-the-art construction training facility to the Renfrewshire area, giving JR Training services an accredited base to deliver some of the industry’s most sought-after qualifications – with facilities that allow classroom-based learning as well as practical skills development.

“Having provided services to the construction industry across the UK for more than 25 years, The JR Group has, like myself, experienced first-hand the lack of skilled labour and training facilities in the local area and beyond. This new training facility would give Renfrewshire the opportunity to lead the way in directly tackling the issue of skills shortages, and provide young people in Renfrewshire the opportunity to develop their skills in a rewarding career.

“Working with a range of partners including G&A Wilson Safety Consultants we’ll be proud to deliver practical, accredited courses, as well as shining the spotlight on the health and wellbeing of the workers themselves with dedicated courses, including Mental Health First Aid.”