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Demolition Specialist Applied-Skills Programme (SAP)

The Demolition Specialist Applied-Skills Programme (SAP) is funded by CITB to assist in qualifying the workforce where a formal apprenticeship in not yet available. The delegate will pick up new skills and nationally-recognised qualifications whilst on the programme. Training is carried out by NDTG accredited providers at approved NDTG SAP training centres. Although to complete the programme the majority of the delegate's experience is gained by time spent in the workplace.

Entry Criteria:
You can join the SAP if you have been employed for at least 3 months. Your company must be registered with the CITB, grants are available to support the costs of the course.

Duration:
2 years

Fees:
£7,200 +VAT (up to £7,650 in CITB grant aid available)

What Will You receive During/After Completion:

• Apprentice CCDO Smart Card on entry to programme
• Demolition Refurbishment Operative CCDO smart card on successful completion
• CPCS Skidsteer testing (NVQ an optional extra)

To apply, call the NDTG on 01442 217144 or visit the NDTG training website.

Funding Available for NDTG Courses

NDTG’s Virtual CCDO Smart Card Scheme launching

17th July, 2017 signifies the launch of the NDTG’s Virtual CCDO Smart Card Scheme using ‘Vircarda.’ The first to market with this technology from partner Reference Point, the NDTG were keen to build upon the momentum gathered since its launch of their CCDO Smart Cards back in August 2016.

What is a Virtual Smart Card?

From Monday, 17th July, new applicants have the choice of being issued with a Virtual CCDO Smart Card in addition to a physical CCDO Smart Card. The virtual card works by way of an app downloaded to the card holder’s smartphone or tablet saving the need to carry cards on site.

All of the demolition worker’s relevant qualifications can now be stored on the 'Vircarda' App. The virtual card can simply be scanned and read by the site supervisor on the same Go Smart software used for reading a physical card, working in much the same way as an online ticket for a flight.

How does it Work?

On completion of an NDTG application form, the customer service team at the NDTG will issue members with a Virtual CCDO Smart Card.

When a virtual smart card is set up, an email and SMS containing a personal registration number and PIN is sent to the cardholder and includes directions on how to download the Vircarda app.

1. Select your NDTG Smartcard in Vircarda.
2. Select the ‘Read Card’ function and Vircarda generates a secure QR Code.
3. The person checking your card reads your QR code and is then able to access the required information stored on your Smart Card - these QR codes can only be read using the Go Smart app.
4. You receive a notification that your card has been read with the time and location, where available.

The Right Choice

“We are delighted to be the first to market with the launch of the eagerly awaited Vircarda CCDO Virtual Smart Card using the Gencarda cardholder management system. This once again proves that the demolition industry remains at the forefront of technology. The Virtual Smart Card gives workers and supervisors immediate access to information, reducing both the need to carry a physical card and the possibility of fraud. Furthermore, the app will work on Apple devices, which is a big plus.” NFDC/NDTG CEO Howard Button.

NDTG notice to members regarding Demolition Awareness training

Below is a copy of the letter sent out by Howard Button, chief executive of the NDTG, with regards to Demolition Awareness training and achieving a CCDO Competency Card. We've included the text in full for your convenience. Please click the image below to see it full size.

NDTG announce details of CCDO card renewals

The current CCDO card renewal system has been reviewed in consultation with CSCS following lengthy and detailed negotiations. I am pleased to advise the following:

1. Existing Industry cards that have been achieved without an NVQ qualification may be renewed up to 2020 with the new CCDO Smart Card. These cards will not now require the NVQ qualification until 2020, however, a Refresher Course will still need to be undertaken.

2. The NDTG, in accordance with CSCS guidance, will renew the following cards:

• Blue -D2B- Topman
• Gold -D3B -Supervisor

3. CSCS will continue to review the process and advise any further requirements for card renewal post 2020.

Dates Agreed for West Midlands NDTG Demolition Manager Black Card Course

Dates have now been agreed for a NDTG Demolition Manager Black Card Course in the West Midlands. It starts on Thursday, 27 April then 04/05, 11/05, 18/05 and 25/05.

Please email stuart@demolsihdismantle.co.uk to reserve a place at the standard NDTG rates.

World Skills UK show will feature NDTG's VR simulator

Regular attendees of the World Skills UK, The Skills Show will know all about the National Demolition Training Group VR simulator. And for the third year running it is set to put in another appearance and allow attendees to cause havoc on a (virtual) demolition site.

According to Lead Trainer Iain Kirk:

“The simulator always draws in the crowds. It’s great fun getting young people on the simulator and putting them through their paces. At the same time, we hope to show young people that a career in demolition is a serious option for them leaving school. There are a number of career paths available in demolition and with the new CCDO Card Scheme there’s now a clear and progressive NVQ structure available at all levels from Demolition Apprentice through to Demolition Manager.”

The Skills Show will be held later this week at the NEC in Birmingham between November 17-19. You can book your tickets at The Skills Show website.

New style CCDO Smart Cards are now in use

We are now in the month of September, which means one thing: the new style CCDO Smart Cards are now in use and will be issued for all NDTG completed courses going forward.

Click on the image below to see the Smart Card Scheme breakdown:


From this month, all CCDO cards will be issued in accordance with the new CCDO Smart Card Scheme criteria and rules applied with a requirement to:

• have or be registered for and working towards attaining an industry relevant NVQ
• successfully attain the relevant Demolition Health, Safety & Environment Touch Screen Test
• attend a National Demolition Training Group (NDTG) approved asbestos awareness course and card specific approved CCDO course with end test

The card scheme has also gone SMART, which means that a Demolition Operative’s complete training records can be accessed on site using an easy to use card reader and software via a smartphone, tablet or PC, making it simpler and quicker for operative to access site, whilst at the same time, as a manager or supervisor ensuring that an operative has the correct skills and competence to work on site.

NDTG announce changes in attendee numbers for CAT B training courses

As part of their continual review of training course delivery in the demolition industry the National Demolition Training Group (NDTG) have announced a change to the attendee numbers for all CAT B training courses (full & refresher) from August 2016.

All courses booked with C&D from the 8th August will be for a MAXIMUM of 10 persons with the ideal NDTG course size of 8 persons.

CCDO Smart Card Briefing event on 15th July

The CCDO card scheme is going smart with substantial changes to align the scheme with CSCS standards.

A briefing event is taking place for NFDC and NDTG members at the Montague on the Gardens Hotel in central London on the 15th July 2016 to prepare all interested parties prior to going live on the 31st August 2016.

The briefing event is aimed at Administrative staff for them to better understand how going smart and the additional changes being made to the scheme will affect them.

Format and timings for the event are as follows:

09:30 - Registration with tea, coffee and biscuits
10:00–12:30 - Scheme briefing inc Q&A session
12:30 - Lunch
14:00 - Briefing event concludes

If you would like to attend, please register for a ticket!

New and Updated Industry Card Scheme

Below is a quick guide to the updated Demolition Industry specific card scheme that will be coming into use towards the end of the summer.


As can be seen, apart from the usual cards and the recently introduced Labourers card, there are two new additions.

• The Demolition Site Visitor card is a Demolition equivalent of the CSCS Site Visitor Card, specifically for people regularly visiting Demolition sites.
• The Demolition Chargehand card is for operatives who are leading a small group of others in a work party, but are not at the level of Supervisors.

The other change is that, apart from the Site Visitor card, all the others will have a level of NVQ assessment incorporated into the scheme.

Apart from changes to the number and type of cards, the cards themselves will also be changing. The days of having a wallet full of plastic cards will hopefully disappear, with the introduction of new smart cards which will hold details of all your current cards, NVQs etc on a single card.

There is a launch event for the scheme in mid-July which we will be attending, so watch for further updates following on from then. In the meantime the NDTG will be able to update you on the current situation at the moment.

Changes to the notice period for training courses

It has always been the NDTG rules that 48 hours notice must be given for all training course notifications, but lately we are finding that companies are making more requests on the deadline of the 48 hours, or within the last 48 hours, and these late requests make it difficult for us to prepare training material and notify courses in time.

Therefore from the 1st June, 2016 please note that if you require a course we will require 7 days notice to process the request. This will give C&D time to source a venue if required, prepare the course paperwork, and raise the relevant invoice for proforma payment.

However, if you want to put people onto an existing advertised course then we are happy with 24 hours notice.

The CCDO application form has been redesigned

The NDTG has announced that the CCDO/CSCS Demolition Card Application form for New Applications/Upgrades/Renewals has been redesigned "In an effort to make CCDO card application process easier."

You can download the new form from the NDTG website.

While the form may have changed, the requirement that all applications must be accompanied with the appropriate touch screen test pass certificate and the Asbestos & Demolition Safety Awareness Certificate valid within the last two years has not.

NDTG clarification of training course ID requirements

The NDTG has been in touch to explain that there has been some dispute and requests for clarification on acceptable Photographic ID from candidates attending the CCDO assessments and training courses.

In order to clear up any confusion, the following additional guidelines have been created:

ID Guidelines for Assessments / Courses

The NDTG guidelines on candidate identification is over and above the information sent to the client booking the course and will therefore form the basis of the trainer agreements.

I.D. Confirmation – Identification must be confirmed using any of the following current valid forms of Photographic ID;

• Passport
• Driving license
• Existing valid CCDO card cross checked on Phoenix, Photo ID may include other approved formats such as;
• Student card*
• Rail card*
• Bus Pass*
• Official Company ID*

Right to work identification is the sole responsibility of the Employer NOT the NDTG.

Should the candidate NOT have ID with them, they may attend and confirm ID post course.

In this case the process is as follows;

• The trainer must ensure a photo is taken of the candidate on the day and passed to the administration staff, clearly marked with the candidate’s name for verification post course.
• NDTG administration staff will then request a copy of current valid ID from the employer/candidate be sent to the NDTG via email for verification. (Email copies must be clear and legible).
• Upon successful verification the card/certificate will be released.

We must NOT disadvantage the candidate in any way by refusing to carry out the test however, the candidate must be informed that failing to confirm ID will delay or prevent the issue of any card or certification.

Going smart will greatly help this situation as cards can be checked immediately and may well even be logged electronically.

*Subject to change upon regular review.

NDTG discounts Birmingham training courses next week

The NDTG has discounted two courses taking place in Birmingham next week. The courses are:

- Asbestos & Demolition Awareness 17/03/2016 - Only £50 + VAT (Normally £100 + VAT)
- Supervisor Refresher 18/03/2016 - Only £100 + VAT (Normally £230 + VAT)

Clicking either course above will take you to a description page as well as the ability to book your discounted place.

Both courses are taking place at the following location:

Webb’s Training Services
Unit 1 Boultbee Business Units
Nechells Place
Nechells
Birmingham, B7 5AB

Working well together

Following on from C&D’s recent success at the World Demolition Awards in the Collaboration category, we are pleased to announce yet another great example of how a number of agencies working together can make a very positive difference.

In this instance we have teamed up with the Health and Safety Executive, the Working Well Together charity, and the National Demolition Training Group to provide a number of free Asbestos Awareness training sessions to local small businesses and the self-employed. We will be providing the training, the HSE and WWT will provide publicity, and the NDTG have kindly agreed to provide the UKATA approved certification.

The very good news is that all the sessions are now fully booked with over a week to go. This means that nearly 40 people will benefit from gaining this knowledge, which hopefully will prevent them from suffering from a truly horrible disease in the future.

Well done to all of us!

Free Asbestos Awareness Training Sessions January/February 2016

C&D are delighted to announce that we are, with the backing of NDTG, running free asbestos awareness training courses in Wolverhampton in 2016.

Designed for small builders, electricians, and tradesmen (who are most at risk) the training is being run via the HSE WWT campaign.

Please download the flyer for full details of the training.

NDTG clarify the requirements for CAT B training

Following some confusion in the industry over the requirements for CAT B training, the NDTG have issued the following statement. Please note that as C&D are NDTG trainers our courses are run to the same rules.

The NDTG is a member of the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) and as such follows the same procedures for membership.

This means that Category B training for the removal of non-licensable asbestos containing materials will have a contact time of no less than 9.5 hours and will consist of Asbestos Awareness training (Cat A – 3.5hrs), Non-licensable Removal Theory (3hrs), and Non-Licensable Practical (3.5hrs) where these times being a suggested minimum.

However, the NDTG recognise that not every operative requires awareness training on every Cat B program, as they may well have undertaken this as a separate training course previously, so as we are represented at board level with UKATA, it has been lobbied that demolition operatives would be able to undertake Cat B training in 1 day (6 hours minimum) if they had conducted Cat A awareness training by recognised reputable organisations in the 12 months preceding.

If an operative is sent for Cat B training without Cat A Awareness in the previous 12 months, no certificate will be issued from the NDTG.

There has also arisen issues over refresher training. No candidate can attend a refresher course without having carried out the initial training program in the topic concerned. This is for all types of training scheme not just asbestos training.

It is not the responsibility of your training provider to check these details in advance, however many do, this is to eliminate delays and uncertified operatives after courses have commenced. I urge you all to clearly identify your operatives exact training requirements and discuss these needs with your preferred training provider prior to booking?

N.B. The NDTG does not recognise E-Learning certificates at the present time. This is due to not being able to guarantee who actually completed the training scheme on the computer. With fraud being very much in the public eye at the moment we cannot proceed down this route. If the security of the scheme improves in the near future, this will of course be reviewed.

NDTG joint initiative with South and City College trains the unemployed for new demolition jobs

The NDTG and South and City College, Birmingham have teamed up to provide the option of training for the unemployed specific to the demolition industry. And C&D Consultancy was proud to deliver that training on behalf of NDTG.

Funding was provided jointly by CSkills and Birmingham City Council. In return for the money, students are trained by specialists to the point where they earn a CCDO card and get a guaranteed job interview.

You may not be surprised to hear that the course was over-subscribed, that's due to the opportunity it presents as well as the breadth of training offered, which includes demolition & asbestos awareness, non-notifiable asbestos removal, manual handling, abrasive wheels, PASMA tower scaffold erection, and basic health and safety.

Read more about this training at the South and City College website.