Final call on grants for qualifications for your workforce

Grant available through the BWF’s WITForum for companies to train and qualify their workforce is coming to an end, and funds are still available.

The On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) scheme is a flexible method of training provision, which is delivered in your business, and can attract a mix of funding from the WITForum, CITB-ConstructionSkills and government. It covers a range of disciplines, for the joiner or wood machinist, to the supervisor or manager and your staff will achieve a recognised S/NVQ.

Companies can claim £450 from the WITForum to off-set the cost of the training, plus an S/NVQ achievement grant upon completion from CITB-ConstructionSkills of £400. Government funding may also be available to cover the cost at either 50% or the full cost. There some eligibility requirements on all of these grants, but in most cases, there will be at least some funding, of not 100% to cover the cost of the training. The cost of the training without grant funding would be between £1,500 and £1,750, presenting a significant cost saving.

Programmes include:

• Joinery Manufacture (Leading to an NVQ L2)
• Wood Machining (Leading to an NVQ L2)
• Joinery Supervision & Team Leading (Leading to an NVQ L2)
• Joinery Management (Leading to an NVQ L3)
• Health & Safety Level 3 (Leading to an NVQ L3)
• Health & Safety Management (Leading to an NVQ L5)

The Level 5 Health & Safety qualification attracts an additional £250 achievement grant from CITB-ConstructionSkills.
The OSAT programme is delivered by the WITForum’s training partner, Didac Ltd, who is an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ rated provider.

Dave Campbell, WITForum manager said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for companies to gain access to quality training and qualify their existing workforce to gain new skills without being out of the workshop for days on end. This funding is only guaranteed for companies that register in 2012, but delivery can begin in the New Year”.

Sharon Gorf, Director at BWF member company Parker & Highland Joinery, said “our staff jumped at the chance to get on this programme and it’s a great way to raise the skills, as well as motivation, of my employees. Frankly, I can’t believe more BWF members aren’t taking up this opportunity – don’t miss out!”

Flexibility has been built into the funding so that companies can choose a different provider if they wish that perhaps offer a different range of qualifications or that companies already have an established relationship.

Dave continued, “We always try to give companies the choice of who trains them by opening grants up, but we are very pleased to work with Didac who have built as a robust training programme, rather than just assessment that some OSAT providers offer. Didac also allow us to access additional government funds giving firms the chance to maximise funding”.

Funding is available to the end of the year, although there is a limited allocation, so companies are urged to apply this week to secure funding. 

For more information on the courses available and the eligibility requirements for the funding, please visit the BWF OSAT pages.