Construction Academy

Posted on June 13, 2016

D&A College ran a highly-successfully Construction Academy offering 30 people the chance to gain skills and certification necessary to gain employment in the country’s burgeoning construction industry.

Funded by JobCentre Plus, the college Construction Academy was aimed at people who had not worked for some time.

Successful applicants were chosen based on their experience in the building trade or skills they had gained previously that could be applied in the construction industry.

Running over three weeks the construction academy delivered training in a number of areas arming those taking part with new skills including: IOSH working safely linked to CSCS card (construction site safety certificate) without which people don’t get on a building site; first aid at work; safe moving and handling; abrasive wheels training.

“While the Construction Academy delivers training leading to industry-recognised qualifications there is also a module aimed at behavioural change,” explained Jim McEvoy, who delivered much of the training.

“Some people become unemployed and this in itself can lead to problems such as low self esteem and poor perception of themselves – which become obstacles in finding work.

“Long-term unemployment can also result in employer references becoming outdated and anxiety setting in.

“The Construction Academy proved very successful in changing people’s perception of their situation in terms of seeking employment in future.”

Christopher Rennie (33) took part in the Construction Academy and has landed work with Perth-based civil engineers, Kilmac Construction – a partner employer in this D&A College initiative.

Despite working on building sites since the age of 15, Chris found himself unemployed – and eventually long-term unemployed.

“I was out of work for nearly three years,” said the Dundee resident.

“Thanks to a number of factors in my personal life I developed anxiety and found that I could not even leave the house.

“Attending the Construction Academy really helped – it got me out of the house for start!”

Better than that however, Chris thrived in the college environment and impressed his current employers when he successfully undertook a work placement with them.

“Coming to college got me back on track and helped me focus which in turn led to a job.”

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