What The ECITB Does
How is the ECITB organised?
The ECITB organises a large number of initiatives. These take place at all levels, and are available to all employees from newly recruited apprentices to professionals with many years of experience.
- Vocational Qualifications
- Training Programmes
- Advanced/Modern Apprenticeships
- Supervisory Management training
- Operational Project Management Short Course
- Safety Passport
- Research
- Careers information services
Vocational Qualifications
The ECITB is the Standard Setting and Awarding Body for the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) which it is introducing and promoting throughout the industry. Assessors and verifiers are also being trained to Learning and Development lead body standards to ensure the highest quality.
Advanced/Modern Apprenticeships
Advanced/Modern Apprenticeships are available through the ECITB Apprenticeship Scheme for Engineering Construction. It is a standards-based apprenticeship that teaches young recruits the necessary skills to NVQ/SVQ level 3.
Industry employees of any age can improve their skills with the National Skills Development Scheme (NSDS). Their existing skill level is assessed and training adjusted accordingly either on or off-the-job.
Supervisory Management Training
Courses are also provided for management-level positions. The Supervisory Management Training and Development scheme (SMTD) can be used to create new supervisors or to upgrade the skills of existing ones.
An offshore version of the SMTD is also available. The Offshore Supervisory Management Training and Development scheme (OSMTD) has an extra module. The OSMTD course can now also be taught on-line.
Both the SMTD and the OSMTD can lead to an NVQ/SVQ level 3 certificate. A Chargehand/Team Leaders course is also based on the SMTD, but with a greater choice of subject modules.
Operational Project Management Short Course
The following short course is available to improve existing project management skills:
- Operational Project Management - 4 days
Safety Passport
The importance of safety is emphasised throughout the industry and training. There is a national safety database and a two-day course is available to gain a ‘safety passport’ which many employers are now demanding that contractors hold, before they are allowed to work on site.
Research
In addition to these initiatives the ECITB conducts valuable research across the industry to help with its strategic planning. Industry expectations for the next three years are provided in the annual Manpower (Requirement) Forecast, based on industry information which firms provided confidentially.
For further labour market information please contact:
Careers Information Services
The ECITB promotes the engineering construction industry throughout the UK. It exhibits at national careers exhibitions throughout the UK and is helped by representatives from local in-scope companies. Currently there is particular emphasis on ECITB Apprenticeship Scheme, NSDS and the desire to attract higher quality trainees.
A wide range of promotional material is also published for schools and careers services. This includes careers advice brochures and guides to the engineering construction industry. This has been sent free of charge to all secondary schools and careers offices in the UK. Careers advice is also available on this website.