ConstructionSkills and British Gypsum have this week launched three new Dry Lining apprenticeship courses at Academies in Kirby Thore in Cumbria, East Leake in Loughborough and Erith in Kent.

The course consists of a 12-week training course which will subsequently lead to the achievement of an NVQ2.

It is anticipated around 48 Dry Lining apprentices will be on the new courses by January 2008. The courses offer the training associated with a modern apprenticeship framework. The courses, titled the Dry Lining Fixer/Finishing training course, includes the 21 training modules requested by employers and the Federation of Plastering & Drywall Contractors (FPDC).

Jonathan Cherry of British Gypsum, says: "Through our partnership with ConstructionSkills we can offer high quality, good value training which helps to meet some of the demand for high calibre new entrants into this critical area of the construction industry."


The introduction of these courses are part of a stream of measures introduced to help recruit and train the 4,000 plasterers and dry liners needed over the next five years.

Mike Bialyi, ConstructionSkills director of Advisory Services, said: "Specialist trades play a crucial role in all construction work but training requirements can be very specialist and require tailored support. To this end we are working closely with the much needed specialist sectors of our industry to further develop flexible, relevant training, and we aim to be responsive to changing requirements.

"Specialist training is often low in volume but high in costs. One way we are able to support this is through our Awarding Body who can coordinate new tailor-made qualifications in a short timeframe once the evidence and underpinning framework are in place."

To qualify and support existing and new recruits in the Dry Lining sector, ConstructionSkills has established working partnerships with federation bodies including the Association of Interior Specialist (AIS) and the National Federation of Shopfitters.

(JM)