The CIOB Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Site Supervision is now being piloted at Coleg Sir Gar, Pembrokeshire College and Coleg Ceredigion, before potentially being rolled out across Wales.
With output in the Welsh construction sector set to grow by an annual average rate of 5.8% over the next five years — three times the average UK growth rate — there is huge demand for more construction supervisors.
The CIOB and CITB, alongside training providers and employers, have joined forces with the Welsh Government to develop the model.
The qualification will provide a supportive and smoother route to the role of supervisor and potentially manager, so that apprentices have a clear route to develop their careers.
The new higher apprenticeship is targeted at: learners with relevant construction qualifications at level 2 or above; workers with five years’ experience working in the industry; and candidates who already have supervisory duties.
Bridget Bartlett, CIOB deputy chief executive, said: “The industry has a long history of enabling people from all kinds of background to fulfil their potential and this apprenticeship is another example of that.”
Mark Bodger, strategic partnerships director for CITB Cymru Wales, said: “The new higher apprenticeship model will give those who already have construction experience the training they need to take their career to the next level.”