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New partnership designed to build construction skills for the future

03 December 2021

Students and employers will benefit from a new partnership between Chesterfield College and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The partnership agreement, which was signed last week, will help employers, and anyone looking to develop a career in construction, to access the training and support they need.

The agreement aims to;
  • enhance the experiences and skills of students at the college
  • encourage the next generation to consider a career in construction
  • help employers access the training they need to develop their workforce

Although the college and the CITB have a long history of working together, the new partnership has been developed to address the latest demands for skills and training in the industry. It will also look at how to encourage the next generation of people into construction careers.

Support for students and employers

Terry Brickles, Curriculum Operations Manager for Construction at Chesterfield College said: “It is wonderful to have the support of the main awarding body in this way. We’ll be working together with the CITB to develop work experience opportunities and apprenticeships for current and future students.  This will benefit our students and school students too. Part of the partnership allows us to offer additional industry focussed impartial careers advice from the CITB.” Terry Bricles, Curriculum Operations Manager and Davina Lowe from CITB

Employer forums

In addition to the benefits on offer for students, the partnership is designed to benefit employers too. There are plans to set up an employer forum to ensure the partnership is meeting their needs. As part of the forums there will be regular opportunities to attend special surgeries with the CITB at the college. Davina Lowe, Engagement Advisor Derby & Derbyshire from the CITB. “My plan is to set up employer surgeries to give businesses in this area direct access to the support they need from their industry body and the college. The surgeries will give them the chance to find out what the CITB and the college are all about and what we can offer; whether that is grants and funding or support for apprenticeships.”