British Gypsum supports new Plasterer Apprenticeship Standards

British Gypsum welcomed the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) news that new higher quality plasterer apprenticeships have received final sign-off by the Government.

A £10,000 funding band has been confirmed per student for the new 3-year Plasterer Trailblazer Apprenticeships. The programme aims to produce plasterers that are broadly skilled and drive up standards in the industry, as it pushes to meet the Government’s target of three million new apprenticeships by 2020.

Since opening its first Training Academy in 1966, British Gypsum has delivered more than 500,000 days of training through its Network of Academies throughout the UK. As part of its commitment to on-going training and development within the industry, the Academy team has worked in close collaboration with the FMB in an effort to reach these new plasterer apprenticeship standards.

The new Plasterer Trailblazer Apprenticeships will deliver qualifications that meet employers’ needs, with training in the right skills to keep pace with change and modern methods of construction. They have been designed to arm apprentices with the skills they need to progress in their future careers and aim to encourage students to consider a career in the construction industry

In direct collaboration with FMB, British Gypsum has helped shape the apprenticeships with two optional routes for final qualification – solid or fibrous plastering – and consulted on the end point assessment for both routes.

Through its network of Technical Academies British Gypsum has also committed to partnering with UK’s Further Education

Colleges via the Thistle Partnership scheme, to support the delivery of the Plasterer Trailblazer Apprenticeships. This includes the delivery of CPD days to college tutors, to ensure they are kept up to date with industry trends and that course delivery is closely aligned with industry requirements and the range of skills required to deliver the Trailblazer Apprenticeship. The Academy team also delivers on site demonstrations to students and course tutors, providing materials and equipment to demonstrate products and systems.

Dave Hall, National Technical Academy Manager at British Gypsum, says: “Until now, the NVQ Level 2, which is a two-year programme, was the most common route for apprentice plasterers. There was very low uptake for the 3-year NVQ Level 3. With these new standards being introduced, all the formal routes of training for plasterer apprenticeships will now last 3-years. While this will bring its own adjustment challenges, we welcome the news. We are on hand to support the up-skilling of lecturers delivering the apprenticeships and to provide supporting material and equipment to ensure further education colleges continue to deliver plastering apprenticeships.”

British Gypsum is also working closely with the Finishes & Interiors Sector (FIS) on shaping standards as part of their application for the Interior Systems Drylining Trailblazer.

To find out more about British Gypsum’s Technical Academies and training initiatives, visit: https://www.british-gypsum.com/technical-advice.