Thrilling New Partnership with McCrae Training

Posted by Gillian Wilson on

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership between Safety Training Solutions and McCrae Training in professional development and training for the construction industry.  This collaboration brings together a wealth of experience and shared values in providing top-tier training solutions for individuals and businesses across the country.

About Safety Training Solutions
Safety Training Solutions has built a reputation as a dynamic training provider. We currently offer a wide variety of safety-related courses to a range of industries. Based in the North of Scotland, Safety Training Solutions is known for its expert trainers and customised training programmes and is committed to supporting clients’ safety and operational efficiency through innovative training solutions.

About McCrae Training
McCrae Training is renowned for delivering high-quality construction and utilities courses across different sectors, including water, gas, and groundworks. With a firm commitment to quality and safety, McCrae Training has assisted professionals and organisations in achieving improved workplace safety and developing valuable skills.

What This Partnership Means
By combining the experience and resources of both companies,. We aim to provide a broader range of services, creating training packages tailored to meet the needs of each client.
This partnership will allow clients to access enhanced training solutions delivered by some of the best in the business.

This collaboration will bring several key benefits, including:
Expanded Course Offerings: We offer various training programmes, from vocational qualifications to advanced safety courses.
Expert Trainers: Access to industry-leading professionals who are passionate about delivering engaging and practical training.
Increased Availability: We can offer Training options to suit all schedules, with both in-person and online courses available.
Nationwide Reach: Safety Training Solutions is located in the Highlands of Scotland. We’ll better serve our client base in the North of Scotland.

Looking Ahead
The partnership between Safety Training Solutions and McCrae Training marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible training to professionals and companies throughout the UK. We are excited about what this collaboration will bring and look forward to working together to continue supporting workforce development and safety across diverse industries.

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements on new courses, training schedules, and exclusive offers for clients.

partnership growth coraberation training highlands

Highland Construction and Property Dinner

Posted by Gillian Wilson on

While attending the Highland Construction and Property Dinner, held at the Drumossie Hotel, Billy was delighted to accept the Industry Excellence Award.

Billy is the 11th award winner for all of the work he has done over the last 50 years in the industry.

Safety Training Solutions has an incredible 35,000 people who have been put through training courses and qualifications – across the Highlands, Islands, Central Belt and Aberdeenshire to date.

Billy says the best thing he ever did was starting STS and controlling his destiny – he’s certainly done that and helped shape the destiny of countless others in construction.

He was presented with the award by his daughter Nicola.

CSCS Newsletter (CSCS.uk.com)

CSCS card changes

Posted by Gillian Wilson on
https://www.cscs.uk.com/
Trainee Card

Trainee card changes

The CSCS Trainee card will soon become available to those holding certain occupation related non-competence qualifications to help ensure new entrants start their careers on a training pathway that leads to a recognised qualification and a skilled CSCS card. Read more.
Labourer card

Labourer card changes

From February 2025, the CSCS Labourer card is changing, with the initial card length reducing from five years to two years on first application. The changes are designed to support the direction of travel emerging from the Building Safety Act.
Read more.

CITB Extends IA Funding

CITB has announced a one-year extension of funding to support the transition of all Industry Accreditation cardholders to recognised qualifications. Enhanced grants are available to CITB-registered employers for specific qualifications achieved until 31 March 2026. Read more.

Which CSCS Card?

When working on construction sites in the UK, it’s important to have the right CSCS card for the job you’re there to carry out. The CSCS Card Finder is designed to help you select the appropriate card for your specific role as well as the qualification you have or are registered for. Read more.
CSCS Smart Check Wood Wharf Case Study

Wood Wharf Case Study

Our latest case study focuses on how digital verification of cards using CSCS Smart Check and a robust ‘Right Card Right Job’ policy have helped transform site access at Canary Wharf Group’s Wood Wharf project. Watch the full Wood Wharf case study
Open Doors 2025

Open Doors 2025

Canary Wharf Group in partnership with Build UK, opened one of the UK’s largest and most sustainably advanced construction sites to young people from London for the Open Doors preview event, inspiring the next generation to choose a career in construction. Read more.

IPAF Categories

Don’t know which IPAF training course is right for you?

Posted by STS on

Looking for IPAF Training but not sure which category of machinery is right for you?

IPAF’s MEWP Operator Training is certified by TÜV as conforming to the international standard ISO 18878 Mobile elevating work platforms – Operator (driver) training.  IPAF MEWP, courses, if passed will qualify you for a Powered Access Licence (PAL Card), which is globally recognised and proof that you have been trained to the highest standard.

The IPAF Training operator courses instructs a candidate to prepare and safely operate various types of MEWPs, also referred to as cherry pickers or scissor lifts. Categories that we deliver include Static Boom (1b), Mobile Vertical (3a) and Mobile Boom (3b)

Static Boom (1b)–: Static booms, trailers/push-arounds, vehicle-mounted platforms.

Mobile Vertical (3a)  Scissor lifts, vertical personnel platforms (mobile)

Mobile Boom (3b): Self-propelled boom lifts

Our most popular course is the IPAF 3a & 3b course, which includes both the 3a & 3b categories of MEWPS completed on the same day.

A PAL Card and certificate are issued to the candidate on successful completion of the course and assessment. The PAL Card is valid for five years (depending on previous training dates on the PAL Card).

Please use the photo above to ensure you Book onto the course for the machines you use.

 

citb grant funding

CITB Grant Rates have now DOUBLED for Short Duration Training Courses!

Posted by STS on

As of 1st April 2023, CITB Grant rates will be doubled for short courses. If you are a CITB Levy Payer, you can now receive up to £240 for short training courses achieved from 1 April 2023.For more information on the CITB Levy system follow this link https://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/citb-levy/

Below we have the courses that are eligible for CITB Grant Funding, with the Grant amount listed next to it.

Abrasive Wheels– £60

Asbestos Awareness-£60

CAT & Genny (Full Day)-£140

Confined Space Entry-£60

IOSH Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers-£60

IPAF Operator(IPAF 3a & 3b, 1b)-£140

Street Works 5 Day Course Operaitve– £240

Street Works 5 Day Supervisor-£240

Street Works Refresher Operative-£120

Street Works Refresher-Supervisor-£120

PASMA Towers for Users-£140

SMSTS-£240

SMSTS Refresher-£120

SSSTS-£140

SSSTS Refresher-£70

To take advantage of this change, just let Safety Training Solutions know that you are eligible to receive the CITB Grant payment. If you supply us with your CITB Levy number, we will process the CITB Grant claim within two weeks of you attending the course. This is included in this excerpt from the CITB

You should make your application through the ATO in the Construction Training Directory (External link – Opens in a new tab or window), supplying them with the relevant details of the person attending the course and your 7-digit CITB registration number.

When an individual has completed the course, the provider will update the Construction Training Register and you should automatically receive the grant payment.

Book now for April onwards to take advantage of these new grant rates

CSCS Card

Construction workers told to get an SVQ or get off site!

Posted by STS on

Do you have an expiring CSCS Card?

CSCS Cards will not be automatically renewed in 2025

The Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) will cease renewing industry accreditation cards from 30th June 2024. In addition, cards issued from 1st of January 2020 will expire on 31st December 2024 and will not be renewed.

According to CSCS, there are 60,000 workers in construction that currently hold a card on the strength of employer recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. These are the people being targeted by the ending of so-called grandfather rights

Those seeking to renew their CSCS card will have to reapply for new cards in 2024 and demonstrate their credentials by acquiring an appropriate Scottish Vocational Qualifications or other recognised qualification. You don’t have to go back to school, but you will need to be assessed by an independent assessor for a period of time, for which full funding is available for almost all of  the SVQs we assess.

If you are looking for a Green Labourer’s CSCS Card or, all you have to do is complete an IOSH Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers course with us then complete a HS&E Touchscreen test at a Pearson Vue Test Centre. Send proof of passing both of these to CSCS and they will produce the card.

To make sure you complete your SVQ in time for the expiry date, call us now on 01349862226 or email info@sts-scotland.co.uk to get started!