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Yorkshire and Humber

Local successes

The future of construction skills in Leeds City Region

Let’s Talk Real Skills

A collaboration between CITB and the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, Let’s Talk Real Skills project, is working to deliver significant improvements in construction skills provision across Leeds City Region. It's based on a strong cooperative approach with in-demand sectors and industry groups linked to Further and Higher Education.

The project is delivering a tailored, sector model for engagement embracing employers, industry bodies, colleges and universities working together to transform the skills system. Each sector group is aiming to create a system that works for employers, placing SME construction businesses at the heart of developing higher quality training.

Let’s Talk Real Skills is strengthening the vocational education and training systems within the Leeds City Region by creating a vital mechanism for construction skills anticipation over the next five-ten years. 

Find details of local industry events, support, networks and contact information

CITB Advisers can support and guide you in terms of accessing CITB training, grants, funding and apprenticeships. In addition, they can signpost you to other sources of support, help and advice, including local partners and networks, for example LEPs, Growth Hubs and local initiatives.

Please find their contact information in the location links below

Your local customer engagement adviser

Janice Chattaway
Tel: 07584 641767
Email: janice.chattaway@citb.co.uk

Joanna Abram
Tel: 07776 463279
Email: joanna.abram@citb.co.uk 

Laura Simpson
Tel: 07753 788327
Email: laura.simpson@citb.co.uk

Business support services

Humber Growth Hub is an initiative of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)  #Grow my SME offers businesses access to:

  • specialist one-to-one advice and support,
  • workshops, masterclasses and events and grant schemes including support to access supply chains,
  • access to ICT grant funding and leadership development.

www.humbergrowth.co.uk

Training groups

Humber Training Group supports training for construction businesses in the area

Contact Sam for further details

sam@humbertraininggroup.com

Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser

Charlotte Robson
Tel: 07810 587034
Email: charlotte.robson@citb.co.uk 

Business support in your area

Leeds City Region Business Growth Service

If you’re a small- to medium-sized business based in Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Kirklees, Leeds, or Wakefield, we can guide you through the complex world of business support.

Get in touch with our Business Growth Service and we can help you find the right support for your business needs. You can call us on 0113 348 1818 or email us: BusinessGrowth@the-lep.com  for more information.

Support to train your staff and grow your business

West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC)

WYCC bring businesses, organisations and training providers together to deliver workforce training and skills support, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). These programmes contribute to the economic growth of the Leeds City Region, tackle social mobility and connect the education and business sectors. The projects we manage offer funding opportunities for a range of training providers to deliver training in the region. You can read about our latest bids and opportunities, then register and apply on In-Tend.

Find out more on WYCC website

Improve workforce skills with the Leeds City Region Skills Service

The Skills Service offers a unique package of training and support for SMEs in the Leeds City Region. WYCC Skills Service Advisors will explore opportunities with businesses to offer the right skills solutions that can be part funded by the European Social Fund.
 
How can The Skills Service help your business?

  • Planning: Free Skills Plan session for SMEs to plan employee training and stay ahead of industry trends.
  • Funding: 40% funding from the European Social Fund towards training your workforce (eligible businesses only).
  • Training: More training and education opportunities across the region.
  • Search our latest Skills Catalogue for current training courses available in the region, or request training that is not currently listed in the catalogue by making an enquiry through the Skills Enquiry Form.

Contact us
You can make a Skills Enquiry using our online form. Alternatively:

Training groups

Civils Training Group (Yorkshire and Humberside)

Area coverage: Contractors and civil engineering contractors in the Yorkshire and Humberside Area

Key contact: Jemma Carmody (jemma.carmody@ceca-yorks.co.uk)
Chair of the group: Angie Lee (a.leigh@cml.uk.com)

Postal address:
c/o CECA York and Humberside
26 Howley Park Business Village
Morley
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS27 0BZ

Current training programmes available to employers:

  • directors – strategy
  • management skills
  • upskilling engineers
  • resilience
  • mental health
  • other courses - please contact the group co-ordinator for full details

Current career promotion activities/projects:

  • school careers engagement programme

Promoting Construction West Yorkshire (PCWY) Training Group

Area coverage: Contractors in West Yorkshire

Key contact: Lorraine Kirbitson (lorraine@pcwy.co.uk )
Chair of the group: Beverley Peace (b.peace@hbprojects.co.uk)

Current training programmes available to employers:

  • business management and skills training programme
  • ex-offender skills training
  • mental health training
  • other courses - contact the group co-ordinator for full details

Current career promotion activities/projects:

  • raising awareness among school careers advisors of construction careers
  • training to become a construction ambassador
  • ex-offenders work experience support
  • support for Give Construction a Try programme

Yorkshire Independent Roof Training Group

Area coverage: Independent roofing contractors in Yorkshire

Key contact: Denise Cherry (Denise@YIRTG.org.uk)
Chair of the group: Alex Kettle (AKettle@everlastgroup.co.uk)

Postal address:
20 Britannia Mews
Pudsey
Leeds
LS8 9AS

Website: www.yirtg.co.uk

For current training programmes available to employers, contact the group co-ordinator for full details of available training programmes

Current career promotion activities/projects:

  • Proud to Promote Roofing - a suite of 40 case studies to disseminate at various events
  • preparation of roofing rigs for schools and exhibitions
  • resources can be made available to other training groups when possible - please contact the group co-ordinator for further details.

Contact your CITB customer engagement advisers

Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley

Ricky Sandoval
Tel: 07342 066840
Email:

Sheffield

Nichola Wingrove
Tel: 07827 842988
Email:

Rotherham and Sheffield

Elizabeth Newey
Tel: 07827 842988
Email: elizabeth.newey@citb.co.uk 

Support to grow your business

Sheffield City Region Growth Hub
The Growth Hub provides a single and consistent offer for businesses across the Sheffield City Region, ensuring excellent business support provision and encompassing the best of what the region offers from support agencies as well as the public and private sectors.  It offers support in finance, international trade, innovation, new business support, skills and training and business growth.

Website: www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk 
Tel: 03330 00 00 39
Email: growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk 
Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday- Friday

Financial support and services to help you train staff

Skills Bank
Provides employers across Sheffield City Region with access to high-quality training and funding to support the skills training that will enable them to develop their business. Funding for your existing workforce (employees aged 19+), for SME businesses located within Sheffield City region. Skills Bank:

  • Supports businesses with a clear growth plan by co-investing in the development of their workforce
  • Works closely with the businesses to find training solutions that meet both immediate and emerging skills needs
  • Develops the skills base, labour mobility and educational performance in line with the SCR objectives so that the business can flourish and grow
  • Gives employers the power to purchase skills training with support from specialist skills advisers.

For more information please speak to a Growth Hub Gateway Adviser:

Website: https://skillsbankscr.co.uk/
Tel: 03330 00 00 39
Email: growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk
Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday

The Growth Company – Skills Support for the Workforce
The Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme provides fully funded workplace training to SMEs to meet individual, employer and regional economic needs. The training includes tailored and vocationally relevant qualifications that are responsive to the needs identified in the Training Needs Analysis. Training provided is aimed to enhance employees' skills, increase the competitiveness of business and boost the local economy. This funding is available to SME businesses located within Sheffield City Region and can cover the costs of CSCS cards and NVQs plus more.

Business Advisor: Anthony Vale
Tel: 07407 460 987
Email:anthony.vale@gcemployment.uk

Regional funded programs to help you find suitable candidates for new entrant job vacancies and apprenticeships:

Construction Sector Routeway (Previously known as Building Block) (access to local talent)
Funded by the ESF,  This Construction project provides opportunities for local people to train to become site ready for the construction sector by supporting them through their CSCS modules and ultimately the test. The four week program offers:

  • Two weeks intense Health and Safety training with working towards the CSCS test and card
  • This is followed by two weeks on-site experience with project partners across the region

At the end of the four weeks, suitable candidates are recommended to employers for employment and apprenticeship opportunities with work trials available. Grant funding is available for additional training via CITB.

Please speak with John Whittaker (Project lead) for more information
Tel: 07773062134
Email:john.whittaker@sheffield.gov.uk

Apprenticeship providers in the region

Sheffield College, Sheffield
Contact: Paul Edwards
Website: http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk
Tel: 07825 280 606
Email: paul.edwards@sheffcol.ac.uk

RNN Group, Rotherham & Dearne Valley College
Contact: Emma Kennedy
Website: https://www.rotherham.ac.uk/employers/
Tel: 01709 513147
Email: emma.kennedy@rnngroup.ac.uk

Doncaster College
Contact: Natalie Stevenson
Website: https://www.don.ac.uk/courses
Tel: 01302 553625
Mobile: 07738 107115
Email: natalie.stevenson@don.ac.uk

Barnsley College
Contact: Joe Jones
Tel:01226 216 123
Email: j.jones@barnsley.ac.uk

Sheffield City Council – Construction Design Centre
Contact:John Whittaker
Tel: 0114 2735769
Email: john.whittaker@sheffield.gov.uk

Regional Apprenticeship provision for: Bricklaying, Brickwork, Site Joinery, Bench Joinery, Plastering, Construction operations, Construction and the Built Environment, Plumbing, Painting and Decorating, Multi-trade, Highways, Property maintenance, Construction Contracting operations, Roofing.   

Training projects funded by CITB

Pathways into Construction - Doncaster College (access to local talent)
Provides opportunities for local people to train to become site-ready for the construction sector. The four-stage program includes the following;

  • Stage 1: Two weeks of basic tool skills in Painting and Joinery, soft skills and interview prep
  • Stage 2: Six weeks of Joinery and Brick laying skills. CSCS card, Soft skills, site visit, interviews
  • Stage 3/4: Site visits, work placements, digital job skills and further programme of study.

If you are an employer looking to grow your workforce, this project may be able to offer you suitable candidates to select from.

Contact: Steven Palmer
Tel: 07808253820
Email: steven.palmer@don.ac.uk

Please see the CITB funded projects page. 

 

Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser

John Long
Tel: 07880 095664
Email:

Joanne Dixon
Tel: 07554 110874
Email:

Business support and training groups

North Yorkshire Construction Training Group (NYCTG)

Key contact: Lorraine Kirbitson (Lorraine@nyctg.co.uk)
Chair of the group: Amanda Davidson (Amanda.Davidson@simpsonyork.co.uk)

Are you a small construction business based in North Yorkshire looking for help to identify the right training for your staff at the right time?

Would you like help to access £000s in grant support to train and develop your workforce?

North Yorkshire Construction Training Group works across the county with small and micro construction businesses, providing advice and guidance on mandatory and skill-specific training.

Member Benefits & Services:

  • Discounted training from partner providers
  • Locally hosted training courses where appropriate
  • Regular group meetings with topical speakers
  • Annual 1-2-1 meeting with Training Officer to identify training needs
  • Training and development advice on-call
  • Preparation and review of Skills & Training Fund applications
  • Training course booking service

Annual membership costs just £85.00 per business. Get in touch with Lorraine Kirbitson to find out more.

Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser

Hajra Lorgat
Tel: 07887 824808
Email:  hajra.lorgat@citb.co.uk

Training groups in your area

Promoting Construction West Yorkshire (PCWY) Training Group

Area coverage: Contractors in West Yorkshire

Key contact: Lorraine Kirbitson ( )
Chair of the group: Beverley Peace ()

Apprenticeship providers in your area

Calderdale College

Website: https://www.calderdale.ac.uk/
Email: apprenticeships@calderdale.ac.uk
Tel: 01422 357 357