This month, The Construction Site Operative Pilot Training Project has been taking place at our Castleford Campus. Following employer research that highlighted the demand for skilled Site Operatives, Wakefield College, Consult DJH Ltd and i-Consult Ltd have developed an entry-level training course that not only formalises the skills, attributes, and knowledge required to be an effective Construction Site Operative but also offers new entrants a recognised career path which they can follow.
The pilot course, whose attendees have been sent from their employers to take part in this course, has been taking place at Kirkstall Forge as well as at Wakefield College’s purpose-built construction workshops.
On the third week of the course at the college, on Friday 15th October, West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges was in attendance with video production company, RAM Films, who are producing a video that promotes this fantastic initiative for Site Operatives in the building trade, to film the students gaining knowledge and skills for working with concrete.
David White, Head of Business Development at Wakefield College said “Currently, there is not a nationally, industry recognised career path or qualification for the general Construction Site Operative. The industry has changed dramatically over the past 20+ years, health and safety and the environment (to name just two factors) have influenced and changed the culture on all construction sites in the UK, and with it the importance and value of the Site Operative who is now an integral part of any well-managed site.”
With 1 week left the students will also learn the safe use of cut-off saws and abrasive wheels.