Saint-Gobain Weber Hosts New Apprenticeship In External Wall Insulation

Saint-Gobain Weber has hosted the Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA) Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in External Wall Insulation offering for the first time a recognised training course for entrants to the industry.  The event, held at Saint-Gobain Weber’s dedicated Training School at their Bedfordshire HQ in Flitwick, was assisted by Sto and Alumasc.

The new two-year programme, which has been developed in conjunction with ConstructionSkills, is aimed at growing the industry’s workforce whilst maintaining safe working practices and standards of competence.  Energy is at the very core of the Coalition Government’s Green strategy and massive investment is being channelled into energy saving measures, such as EWI, in an effort to achieve the UK target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.  With over seven million privately owned hard to treat properties in the UK constructed with solid walls, EWI will bring them up to the required standards of thermal performance.

“Apprentices attended a four day pilot and completed two modules in Basic Insulation Board Fixing and Base Coat Renders. The scheme will lead to further structured off the job training modules in the coming months giving the candidates exposure to every aspect of the high performance EWI application,” says Paul Rigby, Product Training Manager, Saint-Gobain Weber.  “This is combined with on-site supervised practical experience.”  Successful completion of the course will result in a Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Insulation and Building Treatments: EWI; the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card, and the Apprenticeship completion certificate from ConstructionSkills (National Specialist Accredited Centre).

Future events to be hosted by Saint-Gobain Weber will continue through to January 2012.  Courses are employer-funded with grant funding via CITB ConstructionSkills.

“The EWI sector must be prepared to meet increasing consumer demand which requires that companies must invest in their workforce,” continues Paul Rigby.  “There is potential of a 10-fold increase in EWI installations every year so there is plenty of scope for the industry and its applicators.”