The training solution’s on the Horizon - Modern Building Services

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The training solution’s on the Horizon

Published: February 2007

The development of a Sector Skills Agreement for building-services engineer is now involving the industry in a series of workshops. 12 workshops have been held so far as part of this Horizon project. Delegates have learnt about the key findings from research carried out by SummitSkills and, following team discussions, suggestions have been put forward on how to solve the issues facing the sector.

Potential solutions suggested so far include the following.
• Revising the existing qualification structure to make it more relevant and flexible for new technologies.

• Devising a system of distance or e-learning so employees do not have to travel excessively to access training.
• Promoting sector research and development to allow local businesses to benefit from new innovations to improve productivity.
• Implementing a formal structure to encourage and assist workers later in their careers to become experienced industry tutors and mentors.

The final Sector Skills Agreement will take the form of an action plan which will detail the sector’s current issues, how they will be addressed, action to be taken by each of the partners and a quantified output.

The outcomes and suggestions made at the workshops around the UK will be available on the Internet.