A NEW skills academy in Co Armagh is creating 10 full-time jobs for its first intake of students, mainly in the construction sector.
The National Construction Skills Academy (NCSA) is based at Industry Training Services (ITS) in Portadown.
It provides tuition across trades including groundworks, joinery, bricklaying, plastering, tiling, structural steel erection and steel-fixing.
Its initial course in groundworks – a unique qualification for the industry – commences in September, with several employers already pledging to provide jobs for the 10 participants.
NCSA (www.ncskillsacademy.com) has been established as a sister-company to ITS, the north’s largest provider of health and safety training solutions to the construction, utilities and civil engineering sectors and beyond.
ITS managing director Brendan Crealey said the commitment from employers illustrated a desire from companies in the construction industry to boost the size and quality of their workforce.
He said: “The Academy has been set up because many of our clients, including some of Northern Ireland’s largest building and utilities firms, have told us a major skills shortage is hampering their growth plans.
“Our first intake of students will now have a clear pathway into a job at the end of the groundworks course, such is the interest from employers.”
Among firms to have committed to take on course graduates are McNicholas Construction, Morrow Contracts, AG Wilson, NuLine Utilities, Mills Contracts, RMG contracts and Cole Groundwork Contracts.
Terry McCrum of Morrow Contracts said: "We are delighted to commit to the new National Construction Skills Academy. The availability of high-quality training from a provider which, as a long-term client, we already trust, is a welcome addition to the industry.
“The introduction of a groundworks qualification is particularly pleasing and we look forward to welcoming our new recruits from the course later this year.”
