A new Trailblazer Apprenticeship for construction plant operatives has been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).
The programme is now being finalised for delivery to industry and follows over three years’ development work by an employer-led working group supported by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA).
The working group, chaired by Patrick Flannery from P Flannery Plant Hire, was formed in July 2016 to develop a new apprenticeship.
The Trailblazer Apprenticeship for Plant Operatives is set at Level 2 and consists of a 15-month course using four machines – an excavator, dumper or dump truck, forklift and ride-on roller. The CPA revealed the content includes learning on operator-level servicing and basic maintenance techniques, as well as the marshalling of plant. The majority of learning will take place within the workplace, although there is a requirement to have at least 20% learning ‘off the job’.
The working group had to develop an assessment plan, which includes practical activities on each machine type, a test of technical knowledge through a multi-choice testing format and a professional discussion supported by a work record book that needs completing in the workplace.
Final approval of the assessment plan has now been granted by the IfATE, meaning the group can prepare the apprenticeship for delivery. The CPA said this would normally involve a launch event but this is being reviewed in light of the Covid-19 situation.
Patrick Flannery said, “After many years of developing this apprenticeship, we’re pleased to have passed the final hurdle in getting the assessment plan approved. This means that we can now prepare the apprenticeship for delivery.
“I’d like to thank the members of working group for their unstinting devotion, input and time to get this apprenticeship though to fruition, coping admirably with the frustrations and issues of the development phase. It is a measure of their support that we now have an exciting apprenticeship to offer to the plant sector. More than ever, we need to attract new talent and we hope industry will support our efforts and take up this important apprenticeship.”
