The first BTEC's in Construction Lean Improvement Techniques have been awarded to four employees from Cowlin Construction, the Cardiff-based building contractor.

These are the first externally verified and nationally recognised UK qualifications in lean construction.

The BTEC Level 3 Advanced Awards were given to James Player (Construction Director), Matthew Craythorne (Project Manager), Gareth Hann (Site Manager) and Glyn Dudley (QS) from Cowlin.

The qualification has been established by BRE's Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP) in partnership with the national awarding body Edexcel and RDI who verify the award. Participants took an active part in a business improvement activity undertaken by their employer and were assessed for a minimum of 30 guided learning hours.

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"We are delighted to be the first company with employees who now have the first ever vocational qualifications in lean construction," commented James Player of Cowlin. "We see this as real evidence that as a company we are serious about doing things better for our customers and developing the potential of our employees. Learning from the course is now being applied across the Cowlin business."

Martin Watson, CLIP Director at BRE said: "These BTEC qualifications will give the individuals concerned confidence that they have a good understanding of lean tools and techniques. We provide the training alongside a company-wide improvement programme so there is a benefit both to the sponsoring company and the employee."

BRE expects that further BTEC's will be awarded in the near future. Already candidates from a further seven construction companies are close to completing the qualification.

(CD/SP)