Member Article

Reinvestment leads to additional premises and new jobs

Growing training provider and not-for-profit organisation NCT Skills for Life (NCT), has announced it is creating seven new jobs and doubling the size of its training facility at Benfield Business Park by signing a five-year lease on a second unit.

Following a significant 45% increase in turnover in 2014/2015, coupled with the creation of the recently developed JEF-CEP initiative - a pre-apprenticeship training programme specifically designed for school leavers formed in conjunction with the Armed Forces- NCT has reinvested its profits as part of the company’s detailed development and ongoing expansion plans.

The new unit, provides NCT with additional space in which to teach both joinery and roofing skills, as well as cater for the 240 young people enrolled on the JEF-CEP course, the first of which was launched on 8th August. It also supports interactive teaching and learning with the introduction of digital technology and large format screens in the workshop.

While NCT focuses its training on developing skills in bricklaying, plastering, joinery and roofing, JEF-CEP adds a new dimension by introducing the learners to equally important and much needed soft skills such as communication, team building and self-discipline, setting them apart from other young people.

As part of its aim to become preferred construction skills training provider based in the region, NCT has recently been successful in achieving the Matrix Standard accreditation. This particular accreditation is a unique quality standard for organisations such as NCT to assess and measure their advice and support services, which ultimately assists individuals in their choice of career and learning as well as their work and life goals.

Speaking about this latest investment in NCT’s evolution and the job creation resulting from it, managing director, Patricia Wilkinson said:

“As an organisation we have worked tirelessly to develop the business to become one of the brand leaders in the region when it comes to teaching construction skills. I’m delighted to say that the hard work by everyone on the team is paying off as we increase the range of opportunities we offer and create more sustainable jobs at all levels in the company.

“I believe achieving the Matrix Standard accreditation coupled with taking on the new unit is a clear demonstration that we are on track with our plans for the future and on target for another hugely successful year with further increasing turnover.

“Our reputation for the high calibre apprentices we produce and the quality of training we provide is growing and this is reflected in the fact that we are working with some of the region’s largest building contractors and roofing companies. That said, in order to continue to tackle the growing skills shortage and to give young people the chance of a career in construction we are looking to work with more employers of all sizes across the region and will be hosting our inaugural annual employer event in September.”

NCT is also celebrating after two of its valued tutors, senior tutor Joe Black and brickwork tutor, Gurdeep Bassi were recently awarded Grade 1 outstanding following their recent Nacro observation of teaching and learning.

The pair were observed delivering training to Intermediate apprentices in trowel occupations and hugely impressed the observer.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Patricia Wilkinson .