NFDC/NDTG announce another Working Wednesday (but this time it is on a Tuesday)

Regular readers will know that Howard Button CEO of the NFDC and Sophie Cox NDTG Group Manager are always keen to provide relevant topical information for members of both organisations and have done so over the past few years by the very well attended "Working Wednesday" initiative.

They have decided to continue with these successful events in 2014 with an event in London on May 20th.

Owing to difficulties in finding a suitable venue on a Wednesday this event will be a "Working Wednesday" on a Tuesday!

The meeting will look at the proposed changes to the Construction Design & Management Regulations and the consultation document currently in circulation. Speakers are still to be confirmed.

The venue is the Royal Horseguards Hotel (venue for NFDC AGMs in the past) and the event will start at 14.00.

As Howard and Sophie expect the event to be very popular you will need to book in advance by contacting the NFDC.

NDTG train the trainers

At the end of March the NDTG Training Centre in Hertfordshire opened its doors to a different audience. Rather than training those who needed training, instead they trained the trainers. More specifically, Training Administrators and Managers.

The half day session was free and hosted by NDTG Group Manager Sophie Cox and Centre Coordinator Kaila Francis. It focused on the CCDO and CPCS Schemes as well as introducing the Specialist Programmes. The experience of those who attended ranged from 2 weeks to more than 5 years, making it a varied, but no less interesting and useful session for all involved.

The session benefited both those being trained and the trainers because the role of trainer is so varied and constantly changing. In fact, by holding this training session, the NDTG has had some ideas about streamlining services.

Source: NDTG

NDTG appoint C&D to revise the Demolition Manager Course

C&D are delighted that NDTG Group Manager Sophie Cox has appointed John and Jill Woodward to revise the Demolition Manager course content, reformat the course into full PTTLS format and produce a trainer manual for all future courses.

The revision will take place during, and immediately following, the January intake which commences on Friday, 17th December in Birmingham. The Birmingham course will be co-hosted by IDE Vice President Duncan Rudall with a view to Duncan taking over delivery of the course from John during 2014.

Commenting on Duncan Rudall's involvement, John said "Duncan's "hands on" approach to course delivery will be ideal for the Manager course and he will bring fresh ideas to the course to revise the content in light of current practices, and the enthusiasm to deliver quality training to upcoming demolition managers"

It is expected that Duncan will join Roy Brown as the main deliverers of the Manager course this year, though John will still deliver the course for NDTG Scotland in 2014.

Duncan is pictured receiving his IDE Vice President scroll from current IDE President Steve Jack.

C&D appointed by NDTG to deliver the first ever Demolition Management course in Gibraltar

Readers of this website will know that C&D are proud to be members of the NDTG and that we deliver their courses throughout the UK. But you may not know that we are also involved in course development with NDTG.

We are currently revising the Demolition Manager Black Card course and have now been appointed by NDTG to prepare and deliver a four day course for demolition managers in Gibraltar. The course, which will run from 3-6 February 2014, is based upon a mixture of content from the UK Demolition Manager course and the popular C&D two day course currently being delivered to major clients around the UK.

Content will include UK legislation, British Standards, CDM and how it applies to demolition, demolition techniques in 2014, why NFDC contractors with IDE members will ensure competency and a number of group exercises to allow candidates to discuss projects, interact with each other and build on the skills learnt during the course.

Sophie Cox (NDTG Manager) and John have been working with the Gibraltar client since 2010 to make this course happens and here at C&D we are delighted that Sophie's efforts have been successful.

NDTG posts AGM 2013 round up

The last NDTG AGM had one of the biggest turnouts it has ever seen at the Britannia International Hotel on February 7th. A full rundown of what occurred can be found in the March edition of NFDC Demolition & Dismantling Magazine. However, here's some highlights:

• Richard Dolman highlighted a new High Reach Specialist Upskilling Programme, enhanced CPCS Testing for Skidsteers & Mini Excavators, and a restructure of the CCDO/CSCS Scheme
• Iain Kirk showed training figures were up 29% over last year with 781 candidates going through Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal Training through the NDTG & its Approved Providers
• Sophie Cox appealed for employers to get on board with the E-learning Pilot for Demolition Company Directors
• Howard Button talked about the opportunity to develop a Demolition Plant simulator for foundation level training and upskilling
• Jim Caldwell introduced the members to a new institute called ARMI which will be available in the not too distant future
• Martin Morrell updated everyone on the grant scheme changes and informed members of the increase in Short Duration off-the-job training grant which is now set at £50
• Steve Hyatt talked about the working relationship between NSAC, NDTG & NDTG (Scotland)
• Mel Edwards discussed the upcoming changes to the CPCS Renewal process
• Richard Dolman received a chain of office medal

Source: NDTG