New apprenticeship framework targeted at the needs of industry

July 13, 2011 - PRLog -- The new Building Products apprenticeship framework for England and Wales issued by Proskills is designed to help companies adapt to the changing commercial landscape and build for the future. The new apprenticeship framework covers a wide range of areas within the Building Products industry, including the manufacture of concrete, cement and abrasive products, and is directly targeted at the skills needs of employers.

The combination of new consumer demands, changing working practices and ongoing technological development are making the industry more competitive than ever, a context in which skills and technical expertise take on real importance. Reducing its carbon footprint and improving sustainability will be particularly crucial to the future of the Buildings Products industry, as will further improvements in health, safety and environmental issues.  

These areas are addressed under the new apprenticeship framework, which is based on rigorous analysis of the skills needs of Buildings Products companies, who report gaps in a number of areas, including the Process, Managerial and Skilled Trades Groups. The development of an accredited framework will help ensure that targeted, relevant training is available to address these gaps and help employees develop the skills that will drive industry forward.    

By highlighting the importance of training and making the Building Products industry’s case for funding to develop the skills of the workforce, Proskills is helping companies prepare for a future in which skills and technical knowledge will be crucial to commercial success. In the current financial climate many companies are understandably keen to keep costs down, but they also need to invest in training if they are to thrive in the modern marketplace.

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Notes to Editors:
To interview Andy Rotherham, or for editorial enquiries please contact Proskills on 1235 833844 or e-mail info@proskills.co.uk

About Proskills Group
Proskills UK Group comprises Proskills UK - the Sector Skills Council for Process and Manufacturing Sector and the Proskills Academy.

Proskills UK is the bridge between employers and Government on skills and training.
Employer-led by nine key industries, Building Products, Coatings, Extractives, Furniture, Glass, Glazed Ceramics, Paper, Print and Wood industries which make a third of the UK manufacturing sector. Proskills UK helps to raise the profile and sets the skills standards and qualifications for the sector and ensures that the skills and funding delivers against the current and future needs of the industries.

As a commercial arm of Proskills UK, National Skills Academy, Materials, Production & Supply is the first step in identifying and accessing the training your business needs to reduce costs and boost productivity.

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Proskills UK is an employer-led organisation that represents the interests of the industries that make up the process and manufacturing sector to government.