Hands on - multi-skilled training

Within the construction industry there is an increasing demand for multi-skilled people. Trade Services recognise this need and so have designed a bricklaying, plastering, plumbing and tiling multi-skilling course designed specifically for students looking to fill such roles within the industry.

James King from Trade Services explains that: ‘Being multi-skilled offers flexibility of employment. Many companies look to employ an individual who can undertake a variety of work and projects. Smaller companies in particular look for staff who can carry out a variety of functions.’

In addition, some people undertake this training so that they can carry out maintenance work around the home saving them time and money. In other cases second home owners and budding property developers use the multi-skilled route as their entry into the industry.

The general Trade Services Multi Skilled course is run over four weeks and covers the four principal skills required for such work. On completion of multi-skill training students sometimes find that they liked one particular trade so much that they pursue it into a full-time career. A number of students stay to undertake further courses such as carpentry, painting and decorating, and electrical specialisations. Many Trade Services staff are themselves ex-military, have undertaken these courses and so have a good understanding of students’ concerns. As a result they are able to assist the Service leaver to ensure that they receive careers advice and guidance throughout the resettlement process.

Multi-skilled training not only provides ‘expert’ instruction, but it also gives an insight in to the construction industry. The importance of health & safety and general construction industry topics are also covered, to ensure the student is ready for employment.

King personally started his career by enrolling onto on a five-day plastering course and finding that he ‘came out of it feeling confident in plaster boarding and plastering. I just wanted to have a go at it.’ There is currently a huge shortage of skilled tradesmen and women, and he had paid off his course costs within one week of completing the programme. These skills have already been worth thousands of pound to him and they were acquired in a very short period of time. After this success he decided to further his skills by completing the one-week fast-track plumbing, brick-laying, and tiling modules.

Whilst undertaking the plumbing module he learnt how to change radiators, as well as other general plumbing maintenance work. These skills have been invaluable and have formed the back-bone of his (now considerable) plumbing expertise. During the brick-laying module he was taught how to build a garden and cavity wall, as well as different bonds such as English and Flemish. During the tiling training he was taught how to setup, practical tiling, cutting for difficult shapes, as well as the use different adhesives, grouts and applications.

On completion of the multi-skilled course King, like many other students, decided that he wanted to specialise. He chose plumbing, and went on to complete the six-week City and Guilds 6129 with Trade Services. After this he went on to complete his plumbing NVQ level 2.

Gaining the skills and expertise offered by a multi-skilled course is an investment that will pay off for the rest of a student’s life. As a result of King’s course, he now has ‘a more diverse range of skills than most trades people’ and has forged a varied and well paid and rewarding career within the construction industry.