Cladding removal: concerns raised over skills pipeline  

The Skills Centre, which is currently running specialist cladding skills bootcamps, has welcomed the government’s decision to provide more funding for cladding removal.  

However, the construction training company has raised concerns about the skills pipeline required to deliver the works.  

The CSS is available to all medium-rise buildings between 11 and 18 metres across England and high-rise buildings over 18 metres outside of London where fire safety professionals have recommended that works must take place. 

The CSS will be funded by both the £5.1 billion allocated by government to fix the most dangerous buildings and through revenue from the Building Safety Levy on new developments. 

Jon Howlin, CEO of The Skills Centre, said that the government announcement is a great step for building safety in the UK. 

“However, there is still a huge shortfall in trained personnel to complete the works safely,” he added. “Continued investment in building the workforce is required to ensure remedial works are completed by individuals with the correct training and experience.  

“For those interested in entering construction, this is a great opportunity to specialise from the start, and with funding in place, and 30 years of buildings to retrofit, there are great career opportunities in cladding.” 

The Skills Centre has led a collaboration with the Greater London Authority, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and construction employers to design the seven-week bootcamp.  

Commenting on the skills programme, Howlin said: “Delivered from our specialist facility near Stratford, the newly launched programme provides learners with the specialist skills, knowledge and, crucially, site experience they need to start making the UK’s buildings safer for everyone.” 

For more information about the training programme, click here.