Ron Napier of Ogilvie Construction
Ron Napier of Ogilvie Construction is first to complete the Chartered Institute of Building Level 3 Certificate in Site Supervisory Studies on a flexible learning basis from MOL.
With no local colleges able to provide a suitable development and training programme for their General Foremen and First Line Supervisors, the Ogilvie Construction Group were able to find the solution in a flexible learning course provided by MOL, which is approved and certified by the Chartered Institute of Building as a formal qualification in site supervision.
Laura Gregory, CIOB Vocational Education Manager, comments "The skills gap at site supervisor level is well known and has proved difficult to resolve, particularly for smaller firms. The CIOB Level 3 Certificate in Site Supervisory Studies is a well established qualification, based on very relevant skills that link directly to the NVQ 3 in Construction Site Supervision. This qualification bridges the gap between craft and site personnel who wish to progress to a supervisory position. It is highly relevant in today’s industry and many colleges around the country deliver programmes leading to it
Accessibility to learning is an issue, however, given the everyday demands placed on construction companies. Many firms, in particular smaller firms, are under continuous pressure to maintain output to comply with rigid project timescales. As a result, time is not always available for site operatives to attend college. Even when this happens, retaining learners once they are enrolled is another issue. The industry needs a flexible programme that provides site supervisors with a realistic opportunity of accessing and completing. MOL has an established track record of developing and delivering programmes that do just that, and CIOB are very pleased to be working with them."
MOL, is the only training provider offering the CIOB Level 3 Certificate in Site Supervisory Studies on a flexible learning basis. The course programme is designed to cater for both practising and potential supervisors in the construction industry with a wide range of backgrounds and differing lengths and levels of experience. This has allowed Ogilvie supervisors to study at their own pace and at a time that is most convenient for them.
The programme has four objectives, namely; to provide individuals with skills, confidence and knowledge; to ensure that they can make an immediate contribution to the organisation; to develop individuals to supervise a team effectively and to provide opportunities to progress to further studies. The course consists of six modules delivered via three days of workshops (a one day induction and a two-day site practical) that can be delivered at any location across the UK! In addition, learners are provided with nine high quality workbooks, a leading edge construction DVD and support from MOL Tutors (via telephone, e-mail and fax) whenever they need it. Overall, this highly effective blended learning programme takes l2 months to complete, with the modules being as follows:
- Planning Building Operations
- Organising and Controlling Operations
- Supervising Safety at the Workplace
- Maintaining Lines and Levels
- Working with People
- Developing Personal Skills
Steve Clarke, Director of MOL, said, “I would like to congratulate Ron on becoming the first learner to complete the CIOB Certificate in Site Supervisory Studies by flexible learning. I would also like to thank Ogilvie Construction Group who have been an excellent client to work with and who recognised the value of the qualification, with its immense learning, to their organisation and the wider construction industry. Working with CIOB, we have made sure that the industry itself has shaped the development of our entire programme and the resultant learning-blend ensures consistency across programmes wherever they are delivered within the UK.”
Ron Napier, Ogilvie Group Groundworks Manager, is pictured here receiving his Certificate as the first employee in the UK to complete the programme through the MOL flexible learning route.
On receiving his award from Steve Clarke and Barry Heal of MOL and Phil McEwan, Managing Director of Ogilvie Construction plus Ian Main, Ogilvie Construction’s Group HR Manager, Ron said, “This has been a tremendous learning experience and I was able to achieve all submission deadlines when completing the workbooks and assignments. All the information in the workbooks is extremely relevant and has brought together the learning from my experience to date. Now I have a Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Building, I am sure that the course will be a direct benefit to me and the company.”