GBL Midlands Limited start to "Upskill" the team

With a new football season starting last weekend all the papers are talking about new signings to improve the teams and better coaching to get more out of the existing teams. So could we apply the same thinking to demolition companies?

GBL Midlands Limited, owned by Luke Timmins, have decided that their 'team' needs upskilling to meet the challenges of working in demolition and keep them in the hunt for improved order levels. For the last few years training has been done on a "needs must" basis as work has been tight and margins tighter, but now Luke feels the time is right to change that ethos.

"It has always been my goal to train my guys to the highest standards as our clients are demanding a better trained, competent workforce, but that has been difficult when work loads have been static. Now that demolition in the Midlands seems to be on the up the time is right to invest in additional training and upskilling"

"We have, for the last few years, used C&D Consultancy for all of our training needs as we like the fact that they train when and where we need it and the trainers have a style that my guys like and vast experience on major jobs that makes the training informative, relevant & enjoyable"

"When we needed a number of our team to undertake CCDO assessments to move through the card scheme, we contacted NDTG and asked if those assessments could also be done by C&D. We were delighted to find that they could. The assessments were done on site within 7 days of the forms arriving at NDTG and we are now waiting for the cards, so it was a simple quick process for us. We will now look to NDTG and C&D to carry out more assessments over the next few months"

Since we spoke to Luke to write this article GBL Midlands have been back in touch to book Manual Handling, Abrasive Wheels, Hot Works and Risk Assessment courses to continue the upskilling. Onwards and Upwards working in partnership with C&D.

Further details on all of the courses we offer can be found at our Demolition Training website and booked via stuart@demolishdismantle.co.uk

NDTG updates CCDO Applications & Training Requirements

The NDTG has updated the requirements for all new CCDO applications for assessments/ renewals as well as Supervisor and Manager courses. They now will not be accepted unless all the relevant training has been completed.

Here is a run down of what is required for each course:

Trainee Card (Green Card):

• Operative Touch Screen Test
• Asbestos and Demolition Awareness

Demolition, Reclamation & Refurbishment Operative (Red Card), Experienced Worker Topman, Topman

• Demolition Touch Screen Test
• Asbestos and Demolition Awareness

Experienced Worker Supervisor (5 day Supervisor Course)

• Supervisor Touch Screen Test
• Asbestos Awareness

Supervisor

• Supervisor Touch Screen Test
• Asbestos Awareness
• Supervisor Refresher Course

Experienced Worker Manager (5 day Manager Course)

• MAP touch screen test
• Demolition CV

Manager

• MAP touch screen test
• Manager Refresher Course

Source: NDTG

Garage collapse video reminds us why demolition training is so important

Last week we happened upon a piece of frightening film which captures the moment that a builder carrying out the demolition of a garage was struck by the collapsing wall and concrete roof and almost lost his life before suffering an appalling injury to his leg.

The film is featured on our sister site www.demolitiontraining.com and can be viewed there along with our comments with regard to demolition training.

We need to educate the general public, and small builders in particular, that demolition is a skilled art and must only be carried out by trained, competent workers with those workers trained as the NDTG CCDO scheme states.

Are we starting to see an upturn of work in Demolition?

After what seems like a very long time in the doldrums, is the demolition industry starting to pick up and find order books filling up?

The reason that we ask this question is that we have today notified over 100 man days of training to NDTG for demolition & asbestos awareness for March and April which means, if we read the signs correctly, that companies need to get CCDO cards for contracts starting in the near future, which can only be a good sign.

If you are looking good for future projects, but need to get your guys up to date with training or with CCDO cards, why not contact jill@demolishdismantle.co.uk to book your NDTG approved course. It can be carried out at a venue of your choice on a day and time to suit you. No time is a bad time for us to do the training. We've even carried out training starting at 04.00am for a customer in the past!

Don't wait until you need the CCDO cards, get the training done now as your client may be assessing your competency to do his work as Appendix 4 of CDM2007. That clearly states, as does BS6187:2011 Demolition Code of Practice, that trained workers are required.

NDTG reduces CCDO Assessment fees for 200 candidates

We are pleased to announce that the NDTG has secured funding through the ConstructionSkills Qualifying and Workforce Initiative so as to reduce the cost of CCDO Assessment for a lucky few.

In total, some 200 candidates, on a first-come first-served basis, will receive a £50 discount on the cost of CCDO Labourer Assessments & CCDO Experienced Worker Assessments (Mattockman/Topman).

If you want to know more, get in touch with Sophie@demolition-nfdc.com or click on the image above to see the full details. Remember, this is a limited time offer for just 200 people.

NDTG introduce new CCDO Guidance Notes

Last week the NDTG sent out an email informing of an updated set of guidance notes for the CCDO Assessment Process. The aim is to ensure the outcome of a CCDO Assessment is a "high standard of Demolition Operative, Supervisors, and Managers."

In order to maintain this high standard, the guidance notes have been updated, and a CCDO Standardisation Committe has been formed. Not only will this ensure everyone is getting the same level of assessment, it also allows for more work to go into guidance such as the question bank accompanying the guidance notes.

These guidance notes are aimed at the employer who must ensure any member of staff put forward for CCDO Assessment has had the relevant instruction and training to be in a position to meet the requirements.

You can view the updated guidance notes here.

Site Supervisors- CCDO or SSSTS course, which should they have?

We are getting lots of calls from customers saying that MCG companies are insisting on SSSTS courses for Demolition Supervisors but we don't agree so we asked NTDG what they think and they sent us this newsletter that sets out clearly what should happen;-

The NDTG has recently received numerous calls regarding UKCG Members requesting that all Supervisors on site have attended the 3 day SSSTS Course. This is in response to the attached UKCG press release being issued to its members.

As you are aware, the Demolition Industry Standard for Site Supervisors is the CCDO Demolition Supervisor Gold Card (affiliated to CSCS).

I have now sent letters to three UKCG Members who were requesting the SSSTS Course from our members as standard for Demolition Supervisors. The letter outlined the standard of our Industry Assessed Supervisors and how our course meets the UKCG Supervisor Standards Criteria. It would be unreasonable to request that a CCDO Demolition Supervisor Card holder must attend the 3 Day SSSTS Course.

Following these letters, the UKCG Members in question have accepted the CCDO Demolition Supervisor Card as an alternative to the SSSTS Course.

We have been in discussions with the UKCG Training Committee, and they are shortly going to be issuing a press release stating that any Supervisor Certificate or Card produced on site must be considered and investigated before requesting that the Supervisor attends the SSSTS Course. However, they are not able to endorse any one scheme.

I have attached a standard letter for the attention of UKCG Members. You may wish to produce this letter to any clients/contractors who are questioning the standards of the CCDO Supervisor Card. I have also attached the UKCG Press Release for your perusal.

If you do experience any problems with regards to this matter, and the attached letter does not suffice, then please do not hesitate to contact me. I can then look at it on an individual basis.

It would also be useful to hear any response that you have received from Clients/Contractors since the UKCG released this Supervisor Standard statement.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards
Sophie Francis
Training Group Manager
For & on Behalf of NDTG Ltd
Resurgam House
Paradise
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 4TF