Skills legacy scheme off to 'flying start': BESA

​​​​​​​The scheme will recruit trainers and assessors qualified to support the delivery of trade apprenticeships and building safety auditors

A scheme launched by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) to tackle the critical shortage of apprenticeship trainers and assessors has gotten off to a “flying start” with high interest levels. Its first graduate has already been secured.

BESA’s Skills Legacy programme was launched in March to recruit 100 trainers, assessors, and building safety auditors to support further education (FE) providers struggling to find suitably qualified engineers for delivering building services apprenticeships.

The Association used its national networks to encourage experienced engineers motivated to give something back to their industry by passing on their expertise to help address growing skills gaps in critical engineering trades.

Jon Hogg from Ductbusters has become the first applicant to complete the training and receive his Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA).

Two more candidates are enrolled on the course, and two others are awaiting start dates. Several others are keen to participate and are awaiting acceptance by a training provider.

The scheme will recruit trainers and assessors qualified to support the delivery of trade apprenticeships and building safety auditors to help the industry cope with the new competence requirements created by the Building Safety Act.