A
national trade body has joined forces with leading manufacturers in the
structural waterproofing sector to write and deliver the latest insights and
understanding to enable a new generation of trainees to complete a new
specialist trade apprenticeship.

The
Property Care Association’s (PCA) Structural Waterproofing Apprenticeship
Programme takes its next intake of participants in October.

As
well as receiving training from PCA experts, learners will also receive
practical instruction from industry-leading product suppliers, including Delta
Membrane Systems, Newton Waterproofing Systems, Safeguard Europe and Sika.

Launched
by the Association last year to provide training in this highly technical and
advanced area of construction, the apprenticeship is open to PCA members and specialists working in non-member companies.

After
completing the programme, the apprentices achieve an NVQ Level 2 in Structural
Underground Waterproofing.

James Berry, Technical Manager of the PCA, said: “This is a first for the
waterproofing industry.

“Inspired
by the needs of employers and their clients, we are proud to have worked with
members to design and deliver an apprentice scheme that includes the practical
skills associated with the waterproofing industry, through a mix of hands-on
and classroom-based training.

“We are excited to now have input from the industry
through the manufacturers’ training sessions.

“Structural waterproofing is an industry which
continues to grow and we need to do all we can to attract and retain
highly-skilled workers.

“The creation of the apprentice programme ensures
underground waterproofing is correctly recognised as a specific construction
specialty and that a career path exists within the profession that will
challenge and place value on those that choose structural waterproofing as a
profession.

“With pressure to take as much value as possible
from very costly development sites, building plots and existing properties, the
possibilities that come from occupying basements is ever more attractive and
increasingly cost effective.

“As a result, the ability to design and deliver
structural waterproofing in the future will become increasingly sought after by
employers and clients.�

The
apprenticeship programme runs for 18 months and features classroom, practical
and on-the-job training.

Every
aspect of underground waterproofing is covered by the apprenticeship training
scheme including product selection and waterproofing design.

Handling
and application of materials and tools, legislation, and health and safety in
the workplace are also featured.

Instruction
is evaluated by independent assessors who award the NVQ level 2 to those who
successfully complete the training.

And once apprentices have completed
their training, they have access to a clear career path, with further
opportunities for development.

This includes the PCA’s Surveyor in
Structural Waterproofing training, an intensive three-day theoretical training
course that focuses the technical aspects of structural waterproofing for those
who undertake site assessments, and have a responsibility to design
waterproofing systems to prevent failure

For those who wish to demonstrate
their competence through qualification this training course can be used as a
foundation to go on to take the Certificated Surveyor in Structural
Waterproofing (CSSW) industry-leading qualification.

To
find out more about the apprenticeship scheme and funding options, register an
interest or sign up an apprentice, please contact Jade Stocker at jade@property-care.org or call 0844
375 4301.

www.property-care.org