11.12.19
Regional partnership course to upskill Scottish Borders Council employees
Scottish Borders Council employees recently undertook an upskilling programme aimed at increasing the flexibility of staff and enabling them to effectively respond with issues arising within the council’s estates.
The bespoke Handyperson training programme, ran in partnership between the council and the Borders College Business Development Unit, aimed to increase resilience among the council team, in order to better help deal with practical emergencies, upkeep and repair within the council estate.
Equally, the scheme helped the personal developments of staff, improving motivation, job variety and satisfaction.
Funded through Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF), the two-day session saw 33 members of staff undertake training in various trades, including joinery, where they learned how to hang shelves, replace broken windows and adjust doors.
Scottish Borders Council acknowledged that upskilling staff members formed a vital element to ensuring a business runs effectively.
John Gray, cleaning and facilities manager for Scottish Borders Council, said: “It is fantastic to see over 30 members of staff complete the Handyperson course, which we hope will provide them with practical skills to aid them in the workplace.
“Many thanks to Borders College and the Flexible Workforce Development Fund for support for this course.”
It is hoped the FWDF-funded training will help broaden the skills set of the participants, potentially opening up the opportunity for them to develop specialisms heading forwards and reduce the council’s reliance of third parties to deal with issues arising in the estate.
Similarly, maintenance and repair costs are expected to fall due to a more widely skilled team.
The FWDF was set up to provide employers with flexible workforce development training to upskill their existing workforce. Funding was made available as a direct response to feedback from the Scottish Government’s consultation on the introduction of the UK Government Apprenticeship Levy.
Earn up to 16 CPD points, participate in workshops, seminars and innovation hubs on public service delivery