Mark Priestman has more than 20 years’ experience in the natural stone sector. He plays an active role in the development and delivery of training in this specialist environment. Along with his father, David Priestman, he runs a training consultancy whose mantra is: Qualify the Workforce!
Hopefully you are aware that the Stone Federation’s training brand, StoneTrain, offers a grant assisted, two-year training course known as the Specialist Apprenticeship Programme. These programmes are managed by Ian Major, who you can email at ian.major@stonetrain.org.uk
My father, David, co-authored three of these programmes – in façade preservation, stone fixing and stone paving. Before that, there had been almost no formal opportunities to gain a recognised qualification in these subjects and very little in the way of an industry approved qualification to develop trainees.
David has now facilitated nearly 50 learners through these programmes. At the end of last year we concluded the training element of the programme and NVQ assessments for the latest StoneTrain apprentices.
Once again I salute the employers of these trainees for making space in their operations to mentor these people onsite and send them away for training. Hats off to Dawson’s Stonemasonry, Stone Restoration Services, Stonewest and Szerelmey.
We have another Façade Preservation class in progress now. StoneTrain is also working with the Traditional Building Company, which delivers a programme in Heritage Masonry.
I thought I might just throw some light on how the Specialist Apprenticeship Programme works and dispel a few myths about it.
1. Does anyone recognise it?
Of course. The specialist apprenticeship programmes in façade preservation, stone fixing, stone paving and heritage masonry are all CITB branded programmes and are administered through Stone Federation. The programmes teach industry agreed standards and as part of the programme the learner is assessed for a level 2 NVQ.
That provides access to the blue CSCS Skilled Worker card – and . remember: a properly carded workforce looks great on tenders and PQQs.
2. Will my employees be absent from the workplace for long periods?
No. These programmes are unlike other training in that regard. Employers are briefed to provide onsite mentoring, which is supplemented by a maximum of 20 days offsite training with the StoneTrain instructors over a two-year period (the Heritage Mason programme is shorter).
Assessment for the NVQ takes place while the trainees are working with their employers. It is deliberately designed this way so business is not disrupted and the learner gets the most onsite vocational experience.
3. It will cost a fortune, though – won’t it?
No. Level 2 programmes cost about £6,000 per learner, but if the employer is CITB registered, a grant of between £7,650 per learner and £9,333 is available.
4. Who qualifies to enrol?
Any employee aged 16-57 currently working as a labourer, trainee, mate / improver or unqualified worker. To qualify for the Façade Preservation programme, they would need to be mentored as either a cleaner, restorer, fixer, paver or mason. Currently there are two 17-year-olds on the programme and one 50-year-old. Some have been trainees a few months when they start, others have been working for many years and are enrolled because they desire formal training and recognition.
5. My candidate is a good worker but they struggle with Maths and English.
That’s okay. StoneTrain is used to working with a variety of learning needs. If desired, StoneTrain can signpost learners to assistance with numeracy and literacy skills. The learner is not, though, being trained or assessed in these skills, just their workplace activity. If they function normally at work, there is no reason they should struggle on the training programme.
A Specialist Apprenticeship Programme can be based anywhere in England where a minimum of six learners can be found. Different employers supply learners for each intake, so there is no requirement for one firm to supply all six.
These programmes have generally been London focused because that has been where interest is greatest, but wherever you are, if you would like to nominate one or more employees to be enrolled on the Façade Preservation SAP, act now as time is running out.
There is more time to register for Stone Fixing or Stone Paving, but either way, email Ian Major at the address at the beginning of this column.