FeRFA provides full support and advice to its members on all aspects of training:

• NVQ Diplomas
• Grant Funding
• Apprenticeships
• Training Hall of Fame
• CSCS cards
• FeRFA Upskilling courses
• Site Safety Courses
• Related courses and other items
• Training Bulletins
  

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Diplomas

Level 2
FeRFA is committed to the qualification of the specialist workforce through the NVQ Diplomas in Insitu Resin Flooring, and Advanced Sub Floor Preparation.  Both qualifications involve on site assessment and lead to a Level 2 qualification.

• NVQ Structure (pdf)
• How to obtain an NVQ Level 2 Diploma 
• Key Contacts - including Assessors
• Work Based Recorder - what is it?

Level 3
The NVQ Diplomas in Occupational Work Supervision provides an opportunity for candidates who currently are working in a relevant Construction discipline to obtain an industry-recognised qualification that demonstrates their achieved levels of competence. Candidates will be assessed on-site. Click here for details of the units to be achieved.

(Information for NVQ L2 Diplomas skills card holders upgrading to L3:
Candidates who achieve the NVQ L3 Diloma Occupational Works Supervisor qualification can apply for the Supervisor card and do not have to take the CSCS Supervisor test as long as the level 3 NVQ was achieved within the last two years. This is because the attainment of the NVQ Diploma proves evidence that the candidate is working correctly to the latest Health & Safety requirements. They will then be issued with a CSCS Gold Supervisor card which will run for 5 years, and will be renewable by the successful passing of the CSCS Supervisor H&S test before its expiry. Please note, that the candidate will need to keep his CSCS Skilled Worker card with him as well if he is going to work on site as a skilled person, or in a dual role of Supervisor/operative as the Gold Supervisor card only allows him to carry out supervision roles on site, not those of a skilled operative. This card will be renewable by taking the correct CSCS Test before it reaches its expiry date.)

Level 6
The NVQ Level 4 Diploma is now Level 6.

There are a range of options, listed below. Click on the link to download the details to find the most appropriate route for any candidate:

• QUA882 – Estimating
• QUA884 – Civil Engineering
• QUB882 – Buying
• QUD882 – Surveying
• QUE882 – General Construction Management

The various options enable Managers to gain an appropriate qualification reflecting the skills and knowledge required for their particular area of industry and also provides a career route for existing construction supervisors.

Grant Funding

• Click here for further information about Grant Funding

Training Grants & IIP (Investors in People)

For more information on Training Grants and Investors in People, please use the following links:

• ConstructionSkills local area offices
• ConstructionSkills Training Grants
• Investors in People
• Train to Gain (this service was closed in July 2011 to new entrants. Those already on the scheme will continue to receive grant until the end of agreed training.)

Apprenticeship schemes

FeRFA offers two apprenticeship scheme for all newcomers to the industry, both of which run for two years and lead to an NVQ level 2 Diploma.
Both scheme are supported by ConstructionSkills and are fully grant-funded.
The schemes involve classroom and practical sessions plus employer-supported on-site experience.

Click on the links below to download information:

• Details of Schemes, Grants and Costs
• Candidate Enrolment Form
• In Situ Resin Flooring Full Booklet (available on request)
• Prepare and Profile Substrates Full Booklet (available on request)
• Training Timetable 2012

Training Hall of Fame

See who is training the future generation of resin floor layers and preparation contractors on the FeRFA Hall of Fame.

CSCS Smartcards

Before allowing workers onto their sites, most contractors and clients now demand proof of competence – and this can be provided by a CSCS card. All new and renewed cards issued are now Smartcards.  The card lists the holder’s qualifications and are valid for either three or five years. It also shows they have health and safety awareness.

The cost of a CSCS Smartcard is £30.

SmartCards include a chip which stores the printed information and can be read electronically.  This helps prevent forgeries, make cards easier to check and cut down on the number of cards that need to be carried.  Full details of the scheme can be downloaded below.

• CSCS Smart Card Introduction (pdf)
• CSCS card application form (pdf)
• Scheme Booklet (interactive webbook)
• 8 steps to obtaining a CSCS card (pdf)
• Quick Guide to CSCS (pdf)
• For further information and to download information booklets visit the CSCS web site

FeRFA Upskilling Courses

FeRFA's up-skilling programme offers the industry an ongoing programme of training, not just for new employees into the industry, but also established floor layers and contract managers who need to expand their knowledge of changing products and techniques.  With this come improvements which allow businesses to become more profitable and successful, and raise quality standards within the industry. The benefits include:

• Broadening the skill base of individuals and improving work opportunities
• Improving the scope of work available to the employer
• Establishing recognition for the industry towards ongoing training of its workforce
• Keeping up to date with product changes within the industry and the techniques required to meet the changes.

Courses can be run on the tollowing topics - at venues and on dates to suit, subject to demand:

• Decorative Stone & Quartz Systems
• Flowable Screeds
• Self Smoothing Static Dissipative & Slip Resistant
• Polyurethane screeds & coving
• Work Practice & Project Planning
• Surface preparation to receive resin floors
• Grinding & Polishing
• Selling / Specifying Resin floors and
• Waste Management.

The course fee is being subsidised for FeRFA members and will be £75 per person, which includes: Tuition (both classroom and practical where applicable), set of course notes and completion certificate, as well as lunch and refreshments. You may also be eligible for grant funding of £17.50 per person.

Please register your interest in any of these courses, by getting in contact with FeRFA direct on 01252 714250 or by email.

Site Safety Courses

From 2010 the UK Contractor Group (UKCG) requires all site supervisors to have attended a 2 day Site Safety Plus course or equivalent (IOSH, NEBOSH, SSSTS). Click here for a copy of UKCG's Supervisor Training Standard.

FeRFA members can obtain a £50 discount on the 2-day Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) courses and the 5-day Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) from the following four training providers:

National Construction College (NCC)..... 0844 8440466
Safety Services (UK) Ltd (SSUK)....... 0845 402 5050
SSG Training & Consultancy (SSG)..... 0870 043 4743
Training & Assessment Consultants (TAC)...... 0115 985 2455

Courses take place at venues around the country throughout the year (click on this link for information).

Employers in scope of CITB-ConstructionSkills can claim grant A29 which includes a £52.50 per day attendance grant up until 31 March 2012. After that date the grant reverts to £17.50 per day as before.

You will receive an additional 22% Supplementary Payment if you are eligible. This includes a basic rate of 10% plus an additional 12% bonus.

Training Courses

Aston University runs courses from time to time, for course availability call: 0121 204 3593 or go to www.seas.aston.ac.uk/cpd

The National Construction College runs courses on relevant topics at venues around the country. Click on this link for more information.