NASC has revealed it is on target to have provided over £120,000 in 12 months to help scaffolding and access businesses train their staff.
A further £180,000 in training grants is available to companies if they apply before November 2024.
The training pot was secured by and is the vision of NASC president David Brown in an attempt to boost recruitment and plug the labour shortages which are ‘rife’ within the scaffolding sector and wider construction industry.
Construction Industry Training Scheme (CISRS) and Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA) training providers across the UK are primed to offer reduced-price training to scaffolding and access firms with operatives/staff eligible for the training grants. In addition, some of these grants have increased since the scheme began, with up to £200 available per course and uncapped levels of operatives being able to access from scaffolding and access businesses.
David Brown said, “We launched this training fund to assist businesses in their No.1 issue of 2022/2023 – recruitment and training up new staff, to support their growing businesses. And it’s fantastic to see 30+ businesses benefiting from the funding – with £120,000 now committed by the end of the year. And now there’s even more support available for our members, with increases in COTS & MHFA course pay outs.
“But there’s still a big pot of money available for members to utilise and we would encourage those who have not yet claimed to make use of the training pot whilst it’s active.”
NASC CEO Clive Dickin added, “Training is critical to the development of your scaffolding and access contracting business, NASC members through their membership can access training grants ensuring they can build a dynamic team. Please get in touch with NASC for any assistance in claiming your grants and supporting your training needs in these critical times.”
For further information on how to obtain this money as an NASC member, or to enquire about joining the NASC to access this training fund, please contact the office on (+44) 20 7822 7400 or by emailing enquiries@nasc.org.uk.
