CPA Bulletin

32 CPA Bulletin > February 2022 www.cpa.uk.net Plant Mechanic: Despite the early setbacks, there are now 29 registrations for this apprenticeship, along with 1 approved provider and 1 EPAO. We are confident that other providers will shortly be able to offer this apprenticeship. Future Developments Employers from both the hoist sector and tower crane sectors have expressed interest in an apprenticeship for Plant Installers. The occupation also exists within the mobile and crawler crane sectors, as well as plant such as demolition and piling rigs. An NVQ/SVQ and CSCS card category already exists for this occupation meaning that with the appropriate employer support, that a submission to the IfATE to develop this apprenticeship should be received favourably. The Apprenticeship Ambassador is working with the concrete pumping sector who are seeking an apprenticeship for Concrete Pumping Operatives. A number of options have now been discussed with the IfATE in terms of either integrating within the current Plant Operative version or developing a stand-alone version. CPA staff have further been in discussion with and providing technical support to Qualification Wales and their appointed awarding organisations, who are in the process of developing a Plant Operations apprenticeship at Level 3, intending to be launched around spring of 2022. A request has been made by CPA staff in that this Welsh version should be comparable to the Trailblazer version to maintain consistency and avoid confusion, particularly as the levels differ, for employers working across the UK regions. The IfATE has recently confirmed that the construction plant route within the agricultural land-based Service Engineer and Technician apprenticeships are being withdrawn from 2023 onwards, fromwhich the CPA can now start the development of the construction plant-specific level 3 Technician occupation. A draft set of core duties have already been devised and emphasis will be placed on topics such as mechatronics and electronic aids, as well as encompassing new technologies such as the maintenance of electric-powered mobile plant. Working groups to devise these new apprenticeships are shortly to be formed. Employers who employ or intend to take on level 3 apprentices for Plant Technician or Plant Installer occupations, and wish to participate on each working group, should contact Peter Brown at peter@cpa.uk.net For further support on apprenticeship delivery, please contact Peter Brown or Paul Skitt at paul.skitt@cpa.uk.net Further information on the plant-based apprenticeships and links to approved training providers can be found at https://www.cpa.uk.net/skills-training/ apprenticeships TRAINING: 3 The CPA Council is seeking a range of applicable support methods that can assist Member’s training and competency delivery provision. However, to better understand the issues and needs that the membership has, CPA contracted Pye Tait - a respected research organisation - to undertake a research programme and engage with the membership to identify the current training and competency landscape. Their online survey closed in early November 2021 fromwhich some 112 members had responded, further supported with around 20 direct telephone interviews undertaken by their staff. This provided more insight into members issues and requirements for support. CPA thank those who provided their time in responding to the survey. Although, for a number of reasons, the response rate was less than predicted, Pye Tait stated that the shape of received responses, based on their professional experience and profile of the respondents, would provide a good representation of the membership as a whole. They have now completed their report and have provided feedback to the Council-led steering group at the end of January 2022. A number of support proposals have made by Pye Tait on what measures the association can provide and from this feedback, the steering group will make a number of recommendations to the CPA Council at their next meeting, scheduled mid-February 2022. In principle, some of the overarching proposals identified by the report includes development of national training standards; further support for apprenticeship delivery and on new apprenticeships; provision of training for advanced digital skills; and providing further information on the availability of training courses. The full report will be made available to the membership following the Council meeting. Plant Occupations Training Provision - Feasibility and Research Study Update