The Drylining & Plastering Forum continues to gather pace and deliver training opportunities for those FPDC members who have joined it.

This group offers opportunities to access a wide range of training of the kind that member companies use regularly, such as IPAF, SMSTS and SSSTS, Abrasive Wheels, etc., as well as participating in groups developing wider operative training opportunities like drylining apprenticeships and upskilling programs.

FPDC is to spearhead a brand new Specialist Upskilling Programme, in which the Forum will play a pivotal role. The new programme is aimed at taking existing experienced operatives to a proven competence level and helping them to achieve an NVQ.

The programme process is vital as FPDC works towards having a fully qualified workforce with clear recognisable credentials and a levels of skills and knowledge that will improve quality in our sector.

There will be two separate programmes developed, one in drylining and one in light gauge steel framing, and work starts now with a view to having them available by the end of the year.

For those who have already replied to register interest in these programmes, thank you. Anyone who has not. but would like to know more, or who think they may have operatives that would benefit from going through the upskilling programme, please contact FPDC.

This upskilling does attract some CITB grant funding and is available for labour-only subcontractors as well as PAYE staff, and it is not restricted to members of the Drylining & Plastering Forum.

To get involved contact membership@fpdc.org or 020 7634 9480