CPA to hold skills forum

The UK’s Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) will decide on a strategy for skills development during its Plant in Construction (TOPIC) Forum, set to be held next month.

The event is a one-off forum, open to CPA members, rental companies, and more, to discuss the recruitment, training, development and retention of a skilled workforce in the equipment rental sector.

The forum will be held at Nuthurst Grange Hotel in Hockley Heath, Warwickshire on 25 April. The forum will be chaired by the current chair of the TOPIC Group, Bob Harper, head of training at A-Plant.

Topics for discussion during the event will be:

• Skills identification - What skills are required? The need for skills, skills gaps, occupational profiling;
• Review - the existing training provision, career pathways and opportunities, current and future standards;
• Supply - where will new employees come from? What capabilities/skill sets are needed? supply and demands by region, the barriers to the supply of skilled workers;
• Future skills - upskilling, new skills types, skills provision, careers and recruitment, expectations of employers and employees.

Kevin Minton, director of the CPA, said, “The effective recruitment, training and retention of a skilled workforce is of major importance to many organisations in the plant sector and as well as identifying issues and solutions, we aim to establish partnerships working to develop and implement solutions.

“The intent is to get support and commitment from companies, so we encourage knowledgeable participants who are willing and able to make a positive contribution to the work.”

Those interested in attending the event should contact Maria Reid from the CPA on maria.reid@cpa.uk.net