Construction Learning World commended for staff development

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Construction Learning World (CLW), has grown dramatically since it launched four years ago to become the leading provider of NVQs for the construction industry. This is largely thanks to the training it has invested in for its 130 employees, organised with help from Train to Gain, a service funded by the Learning and Skills Council to help businesses succeed. Their strategy is working as David Sherlock at the ALI last year named CLW as one of the top providers in the country.

Staff from all disciplines across the organisation have successfully completed NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 courses, with support from South East Derbyshire College, and Train to Gain Skills Broker, Hev Bingley, is now working with the company once again to source and coordinate new NVQ Level 3 and 4 training courses.

This has enabled CLW to build a team of over 80 assessors and verifiers inconstruction, 30 of which joined as untrained construction workers, who havedelivered more than 9000 NVQs in construction. Eight members of staff have also been trained to guide learners to make relevant choices and to enrol them on appropriate qualifications.

Managing Director Helen Smith, said: “Our mission at CLW is to develop the talents of individuals working in the construction industry to enable them to realise their potential, through programmes that are specifically designed to up-skill the workforce. But we cannot do this unless our entire workforce, from administration staff to our assessors and verifiers, is trained to the highest level possible.

“Thanks to help from Train to Gain, sourcing the appropriate courses has been quick and easy, and the benefits so far have been very clear. The training has given our employees a new lease of life, which is not only fantastic for the business, but for their careers in the future too, and I know they are all excited about the next stage in their training too.”

Steven Johnston from Ilkeston, Derby, joined Construction Learning World as atrainee assessor in October last year. He said: “I have worked in the construction industry for 20 years. When I saw the opportunity to train to become an assessor at Construction Learning World, I jumped at it. It was quite a change to study for my Level 3 Assessors award, but with help from my new colleagues and my own assessor, I found that I achieved the qualification in next to no time.”

Hev Bingley, Train to Gain Skills Broker, said: “Construction Learning World is afantastic example of the benefits of investing in training and developing yourworkforce. As a result of the commitment to a well-trained and supported workforce the business has been able to expand rapidly over the last few years and looks towards a very productive and profitable future.”

The investment in the team has not only impressed the LSC, but last year David Sherlock was so impressed with their service and delivery that he commented “I am delighted to be able to name Construction Learning World as one of this year’s outstanding providers (quote from December 2006). They have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to achieving the very highest standards in the quality of training they offer. Learners can be confident that they will receive first class support to reach their full potential. To be one of the top providers in the country is a tremendous achievement and a great credit to the team at Construction Learning World.”