Apprentice Assessments and CPD Continue

JMA Contract Services made the most of National Apprentice Week by carrying out two Scaffolding Trailblazer end point assessments at CISRS training provider AIS’ facility in North Shields.

Two groups of nine CITB apprentices were put through their paces by assessors Michael Allan and David John Adams. The delegates were required to build an independent with a cantilever as an individual exercise plus a truss out with beams as a group of three.

The assessment requires all apprentices to take part in the erecting and dismantling process so they will alternate roles ensuring any one individual does not merely become the labourer.

The two assessors split the groups, with six of the apprentices erecting and dismantling the truss out with beams, while the other three carried out the individual exercise and completed their theory test on the first day of the assessment, this was then alternated for day two.

The assessment was carried out under strict Covid-19 procedures, remaining socially distanced in classrooms, communal areas and during the individual practical sessions and ensuring face coverings were worn during the group sessions.

JMA is an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). Manager Michael Allan said: “We have had two good CITB apprentice groups in over the last couple of weekends and they handled all aspects of the assessment well. It’s very helpful that end point assessments are allowed to continue as the industry is always looking to welcome newly qualified scaffolders into the workforce.”

AIS instructor Gary Burke also delivered a CISRS CPD course over the weekend to a group of Scaffolders and Advanced Scaffolders.

The centre was visited by Dave Mosley, CISRS Scheme Manager, who said: “We have both ends of the scale here with apprentices being signed off and gaining their initial Scaffolder status, whilst experienced scaffolders are coming in for an update and refresher by completing their CPD courses, which is great to see.”