Free training offered to tradespeople in Fife impacted by pandemic

Fife College is offering free training to tradespeople in the energy, engineering and construction sectors whose jobs have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

A series of fully-funded training courses are now available to individuals aged over 25 who are either facing redundancy or who have been made redundant since March last year when the pandemic began.

The courses on offer include one on the most recent Wiring Regulation update, and an upskilling qualification in electric vehicle charging aimed at qualified electricians.

There are also health and safety qualifications on offer including the NEBOSH General Certificate and the IOSH Managing Safely - both of which are essential for supervisors and managers with staff and resource responsibilities.

Funding for the courses is being provided by the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) through the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF), and is designed to allow tradespeople to upskill and help them move into roles with better potential for future growth and job retention.

Jan Thomson, Director of Business Development, Fife College, said:

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer a helping hand to tradespeople in the region who have been affected by the pandemic.

“We know that this has been an incredibly tough time for people across Fife, with many individuals having been made redundant or facing redundancy as result of the economic downturn.

“These courses however provide an excellent opportunity for already skilled tradesmen and women to retrain in renewable technology installation and maintenance.

“The renewable industry is growing in Scotland and offers great employment prospects for those who have the required skills and knowledge.

“These courses will provide exactly that, and could help get your career back on track after this difficult period.”

John Renwick, the Sector Manager for Construction for Scotland's colleges at the Energy Skills Partnership said:

“The National Transition Training Fund – in association with the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government – is another excellent opportunity for already skilled tradesmen and women over 25 years-of-age and whose employment has suffered due to the COVID -19 pandemic to retrain in renewable technology installation and maintenance as we move our nation towards a zero emissions future for heating our buildings, reducing demand for heat and decarbonising our supply and making Scotland’s homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficient.”