THE Concrete Repair Association (CRA) has launched its Specialist Applied Skills Programme (SAP), an 18-month training initiative designed to develop the next generation of concrete repair professionals.
Approved by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the pilot scheme is said to represent the first comprehensive vocational training pathway specifically tailored to the concrete repairs sector, leading to an NVQ/SVQ Level 2 Diploma qualification.
The aim is to address a skills shortage by providing employers with a ‘structured and cost-effective’ route to recruit, train, and qualify new entrants in specialist concrete repair techniques.
The programme combines formal off-the-job instruction with supervised on-site training across 20 days of modules. Trainees will gain practical experience in skills such as surveying and testing, breaking out and repair preparation, steel protection and replacement, various repair options, protective coatings and waterproofing, crack injection techniques, and corrosion protection systems.
All training incorporates health and safety qualifications including CITB Health & Safety Awareness, UKATA Asbestos Awareness, PASMA access training, and Emergency First Aid at Work.
CRA executive officer Lauren Fairley said, “This programme represents a significant milestone for our industry. With an ageing workforce and increasing demand for specialist concrete repair services, we recognised the urgent need for a structured training pathway that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical skills. The CITB’s approval validates our approach and ensures employers can invest with confidence in developing their future workforce.”
The programme addresses multiple entry routes including career changers, current workers without formal qualifications, and young people seeking careers in specialist construction.
The inaugural pilot will accept eight trainees, with one candidate per company eligible. The scheme is exclusively open to members of the Concrete Repair, Corrosion Prevention and Sprayed Concrete Associations.
To qualify, trainees must be at least 16, hold full-time PAYE employment (minimum 30 hours/week) with a CITB-registered employer, apply for a CSCS Trainee Card within three months, and not be enrolled in another CITB grant-assisted apprenticeship.
For more information, visit https://www.cra.org.uk/specialist-applied-skills-programme-sap/, or contact Training@structuralconcretealliance.org.uk
