Changing Perceptions of Scaffolding Careers
NASC’s Teacher Tours programme continues to gather momentum, with the latest event in Wales bringing careers professionals face to face with the modern scaffolding industry.
Hosted by CWIC Scaffolding Academy in Swansea and delivered in partnership with Centregreat Engineering and CITB, the event welcomed 17 attendees - a mix of careers advisers and Jobcentre work coaches who support individuals across schools, unemployed adults and prison settings. That breadth meant the day reached professionals who influence career decisions at multiple stages of a person’s journey into employment.
Each partner brought a different perspective on the industry. CWIC opened the session with an introduction to the academy, its partnership with the University and its work alongside employers to develop the future workforce. They then explained how the scaffolding apprenticeship works, the training journey, the qualifications learners achieve and the support available throughout the programme.
Centregreat Engineering then gave an insight into the industry itself, demonstrating how integral scaffolding is to almost every area of construction and infrastructure. By showcasing the variety of projects scaffolders work on and the professionalism of the sector, the presentation helped challenge some of the common misconceptions that still surround scaffolding. CITB rounded off the presentations by explaining the support available to employers, including grants, funding and recruitment initiatives, giving careers professionals a clearer picture of the pathways available to individuals entering the sector and how employers can access financial support to recruit, train and retain staff.
In feedback afterwards, Careers Wales Careers Adviser Debbie James rated the event as very good and very valuable, with her knowledge increasing from 1 out of 5 to 4 out of 5. She particularly valued the introductions to the academy, CITB and Centregreat, and said the visit highlighted the range of opportunities available across different locations, as well as the intensity and professionalism of scaffolding training. The visit changed perceptions of the sector and gave her greater confidence to explain scaffolding roles and pathways to clients.
She added: “This was a very enjoyable visit with lots of information to take away to clients. I will definitely be interested in the Teacher Tours initiative visiting my school, to speak to pupils to continue their understanding of an interesting sector.”
Teacher Tours invite educators, careers advisers and employability professionals into NASC member workplaces to see first-hand what the scaffolding and access sector looks like today. The better informed these professionals are, the more likely they are to recommend scaffolding as a career to the people they support. With an ongoing skills shortage, events like this are an important part of the long-term solution.
If your organisation is interested in hosting a Teacher Tour, contact: [email protected] or call 020 7822 7400
