Were you one of the over 5,000 construction workers given the once in a lifetime opportunity to work on the 2012 Olympic Games venue in London? Did you know that 400 to 600 of the workers on site each day were bricklayers alone? If not, was it because you lacked the necessary certifications required to qualify for the job? Hopefully the following information can help you better understand some of the industry expectations and ensure that you don’t miss out on any other projects – especially ones as big as this.
Worker Safety
Before work had even commenced on the 2012 venue, several groups were hard at work to make sure that the health and safety of each and every worker was carefully considered before beginning. Most prominent among these groups was the Olympic Delivery Authority, or ODA. The Chief Executive of the ODA even went so far as to publicly announce that promoting overall health and reducing risk and injury were the absolute top priorities as far as this project was concerned.
Over 240 companies were put to work on this venue and all of them were informed that on this project and every project, safety should be their top priority, regardless of budgets or deadlines. This has seriously impacted the construction industry as a whole and has significantly raised the expectations when it comes to construction workers.
CSCS Cards and Construction NVQ’s are Becoming Increasingly Important
It should be no secret that the more you know, the more valuable you are to your employer. But how do you showcase your knowledge and what concrete testimony do you have to your training and skills? While it may be frustrating for some, the only proof you have to bear witness of your skills are pieces of paper that certify what you have accomplished.
As a construction worker, and even more specifically as a bricklayer, you alone know the depths of your skills, but you have to prove them and become certified if you want to move forward. Taking an NVQ in Bricklaying is the first step you can take towards doing just that.
If you are scoffing as you read this, thinking that it is completely unnecessary, allow me to point out that every single worker on site at the Olympic venue was required to have proof of certification as well as a CSCS card. An NVQ and a CSCS card are the concrete proof you are missing that show employers that you are serious about safety, your skills, and their projects.
So it’s time to get serious about getting certified- unless you don’t mind constantly being passed up for other bricklayers who have invested the time in certifications. The Level 2 Bricklaying NVQ could not be simpler or less time consuming. You meet with an assessor, schedule a time for him to come and watch you on the job – you don’t even miss a day of work, and see how you do. You cannot fail a Bricklaying NVQ – if the assessor feels you need improvement, he will work with you until you are able to produce a convincing portfolio. You are good at what you do, so you owe it to yourself to take this small step that leads to big changes.
Apply for a Construction NVQ online or call Construction Support Line’s friendly and professional experts on 0203 598 1037.
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