| 10 years ago the construction industry introduced | | | | developing their skills and look for other ways to |
| CSCS as a form of self regulation principally aimed at | | | | become more qualified. Skills for life can createthe |
| reducing accidents on site. All workers are required to | | | | initial motivator to do so. LaSS is accredited to deliver |
| hold a CSCS card commensurate with their level of | | | | construction NVQ's and refers many of its learners |
| skills which needs to be renewed on a regular basis. | | | | onto these courses after Skills for life. |
| A requirement of the CSCS cards is the touch screen | | | | Donna Hamblion, Tutor Manager comments "In one |
| Health & Safety Test, which must be passed in | | | | instance I heard back from one of our first learners |
| English, using the computer to satisfy contractor's | | | | who said that the Skills for Life course opened up so |
| health and safety policies. Today, the CSCS card is | | | | many doors to him that he continued learning and is |
| mandatory on most constructions sites run by the | | | | now studying for a degree". |
| major contractors and has become the 'passport to | | | | Historically it has been very difficult to deliver Skills |
| work' for many construction workers. | | | | for Life training with construction workers despite |
| By embedding the CSCS test into the Skills for Life | | | | there being a real need to raise the standards of |
| learning, Learning and Skills Solutions (LaSS) have | | | | literacy/numeracy and language. As migrant labour |
| seen extremely positive results. Adrian Bouckley, | | | | has become more and more prevalent within the |
| Director of Training for LaSS explains; "The CSCS | | | | industry Health and Safety issues have been raised |
| test can be a frustrating bridge to cross for | | | | to a critical level. |
| thousands of construction workers, as well as costing | | | | Attendance at college for evening classes has until |
| the worker money, poor literacy, language and | | | | recently been the only avenue available to |
| computer skills can make it difficult to pass the test. | | | | construction workers and this environment is normally |
| Our skills for life program quickly bridges this gap, and | | | | unattractive to a typical construction worker. |
| provides the learner with a nationally recognized | | | | Recognizing the need to raise basic skills and also the |
| qualification. We also fund the CSCS card and test, | | | | importance of Health and Safety in the workplace |
| which takes a bit more pressure off the learner". | | | | LaSS have adopted the model of embedding the |
| In fact, the skills for life benefits reach much further | | | | training as part of the preparation for the CSCS |
| than just aiding CSCS carding. In so many cases by | | | | Health and Safety Test. This training is normally |
| improving basic literacy and numeracy skills LaSS sees | | | | delivered on site, to ensure minimal disruption to the |
| improved motivation from the learner. Often | | | | working day. |
| peoplecomplete the courses and see the benefits of | | | | |