Prefabrication squad to fill skills gap

An industry initiative is set to produce a new generation of multi-skilled site workers capable of producing homes using prefabricated build techniques. The move could produce 1000 new workers a year, helping to bridge the skills gap and make prefabrication a more attractive build option for homebuilders.

The training schemes for prefabricated housing site workers could be in place as early as July if the DETR approves a joint £626 000 grant application by the Construction Industry Training Board and prefabricated housing technology consultant the Palmer Partnership.

The programme aims to start top-up training schemes in the summer to alleviate skills shortages. In the medium term it plans one-year certified schemes and in the long term, two-year NVQ courses. Simon Palmer of the Palmer Partnership said training could be in a variety of systems. "It's not just about timber frame, it's about housing systems," he said. "Our schemes would embrace a number of systems, therefore providing a transferable generic qualification." Training courses would cover concrete, timber and steel systems. Organisations involved include the Prototype National Training Centre, The Timber and Training Consortium, The Timber Frame Alliance, blockmaker Celcon and foundations specialist Roger Bullivant.

Training would principally take place at four Training Board regional centres and the new Zethus Centre, for housebuilding research in Dartford, Kent. Students would be trained by Board staff on whole-built units at Dartford or a Training Board regional centre, on part-built units on site, or at a manufacturer's own factory.

Beazer Homes' group construction manager Denis Stokes said training is essential. "Two and a half years ago when Beazer instigated its training programme, training wasn't high on anybody's agenda." Stokes said Beazer's commitment to training its staff to NVQ2, 3 or 4 level in site management and timber framing techniques is paying dividends.

One scheme already coming on line from the Training Board and the Housing Corporation is Prefabrication Training for RSLs - designed to help social housing employees work effectively with housing system manufacturers.