Projects
Details of LONDON O3-funded projects.
Build UP: New Perspective for SMEs in Construction
Introduction
The project, led by Islington Enterprise Agency (IEA), brings together a unique partnership of private and public sector provision to address identified training needs for the construction sector at a Pan-London level.
Build UP addresses three areas identified as significant gaps in the construction industry as shown by research and as recognised by CITB-Construction Skills:
- black and minority ethnic (BME) and women-led micro-businesses
- sustainable site management
- conservation/restoration
These priorities will drive the project’s contribution towards the cross-cutting themes of sustainable development and equality of opportunities. Construction is one of the most important sectors in London’s economy but the industry faces huge skills and training challenges over the next five years particularly in light of major construction projects currently underway in the capital including the Thames Gateway, Wembley and Heathrow Terminal 5 and potentially the 2012 Olympics.
The project aims to pursue the following objectives between January 2005 and December 2006:
- Capacity building within Small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector
- Supporting increased economic participation by BME ) and women-led SMEs through delivery consortia and entrepreneurship training
- Raising awareness within SMEs and their employees of environmental issues and actions
- Addressing skill shortages through training in sustainable construction site management and conservation and restoration skills.
The lead applicant, IEA, is a non-profit organisation that provides training and other enterprise development support in order to achieve social and economic outcomes of inclusion and regeneration. Its strategic approach includes a focus on economic sectors with proven track records of regeneration, and construction is one of these. IEA is active in small business support and the development of social enterprises by disadvantaged population groups.
Partners in the Build UP project include Agenda (Construction Skills for Women), Faber Maunsell, Kotuku, the London Borough of Islington, Wilson James, Lambeth College and Building Crafts College as well as CITB-ConstructionSkills, part of the Sector Skills Council for the Construction sector.
Project delivery
Build UP will be delivered between January 2005 and December 2006 and its planned outputs and outcomes include:
- 250 SMEs recruited and supported through the Project.
- 150 SMEs receiving sustainable site management training.
- 180 beneficiaries starting restoration/conservation skills and business management training.
- 458 beneficiaries starting sustainable site management and health and safety training.
- Up to 83 beneficiaries will receive accreditation through the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in restoration skills and 40 will receive National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in Business Management.
- Build UP will pursue accreditation of sustainable site management award and conservation/restoration training programmes (working with CITB).
- Build UP will develop at least one consortium of SMEs.
The project focuses on two main elements as detailed below: conservation/restoration skills as well as sustainable site management and development of construction enterprise management skills (through training and/or participation in the consortium).
1. Build UP: Conservation/Restoration
Build UP Craft Skills constitutes a London-wide initiative to increase the technical skills and business opportunities within the conservation and restoration industry: Building Crafts College and Lambeth College are offering two new levels of craft training in the areas of conservation, restoration and repair of buildings. The training will help to address a gap in the construction sector and will be endorsed through the National Heritage Training Group and work will be undertaken towards accreditation through CITB (Construction Industry Training Board).
The course includes the following options:
- Level 1: Foundation Construction Certificate. An introductory course for those with basic craft skills in Carpentry and Joinery, Brickwork or Painting and Decorating.
- Level 2: This course is suited to those with NVQs level 2 or City & Guilds equivalent or 5 year site experience.
- Progression to level 3 and 4 qualifications in Conservation Site Management.
2. Build UP: sustainable site management and enterprise management skills
As part of the project’s delivery, SMEs receive practical on-site advice and assistance in gaining contracts and their employees at the semi-skilled and management levels will also be up-skilled through training modules. Additionally, Build UP provides sole traders and small building companies with the opportunity to join the Build UP Consortium and join together with other contractors, tender for larger contracts and secure work within the conservation sector. New networks will therefore be created as a result of the project.
SME employees are also able to enhance their skills by selecting a range of options suitable for their own business development including project management, financial management, legality and liability, time management, effective networking, business start-up support, public procurement and contract negotiation.
The sustainable element of the project addresses the difficulty of engaging with SMEs who have little time or opportunity for training. In London the waste produced by the construction industry is considerable and awareness of environmental issues and sustainable practices among SMEs is limited. A mobile environmentally friendly Café van takes over building sites’ tea breaks providing purpose designed presentations relating the environmental agenda to issues on the site as well as sandwiches and drinks. This leads to the award of a certificate of environmental awareness. The unit provides on-site advice and training to SMEs owners across the five London LSC areas and it was showcased the London Green Lifestyle Show held at Greenwich Park on 5 June as part of London Sustainability Weeks 2005 (5-19 June).
ESF Matters: Making a difference to people’s lives
The project’s beneficiaries
The project is primarily directed towards SME construction employees, sole traders and SMEs currently under-represented in the workforce, particularly women and BME beneficiaries, and provides them with free training opportunities.
Tailored support to beneficiaries includes translation, adapted material and recruitment (which does not use stereotypical images of the industry), specialist support for people with disabilities and courses arranged at suitable times (e.g. evening) for beneficiaries to attend.
Fifteen tradeswomen have started in June 2005 on the new Craft Conservation course delivered under Build UP. The training started with a focus on stonework and beneficiaries have been very enthusiastic about being given the opportunity to enhance their skills.
“The course offers me an insight into the conservation industry as well as an appreciation of other craft trades. Learning about the condition of properties is very useful.” — Maria, Carpenter
“It’s been hard on the hands but I certainly enjoyed the challenge.” — Cass, Bricklayer
“So far looks like being really interesting overview of all aspects of conservation the tutors are very helpful and made learning a pleasure.” — Kate, Carpenter
“It’s been enjoyable and just enough to take in after a days work and enough to get an understanding of the trade.” — Billie-Jay, Painter and Decorator
“I enjoyed using a chisel and hammer and learning how to work with stone, it gives an insight into how stone masonry is done and how difficult it can be.” — Karen, Painter and Decorator
Funding
The project has been granted £541,000 of European Social Funding under Objective Three (Specification 4.1c). The funding has come through the Pan-London co-financing round which is managed by ECOTEC Research & Consulting on behalf of the five Learning and Skills Council in London.
Further information
For further information about European Social Funding and the LSC Pan-London ESF Objective 3 Programme, please visit:
To find out more about the LSC Pan-London ESF O3 Programme, please contact the LONDON O3 Team within ECOTEC (020 7089 1976;
To contact Hilary Taylor at Islington Enterprise Agency about the Build UP project please e-mail or call 0207 226 2783. Further information about the IEA is available on the IEA Web site.
Learning and Skills Council
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England (excluding higher education). For any media enquiries about the LSC please contact Vicky Taylor on 020 7904 0789 or .
