SPOA role to tackle the skills shortage

Gail McEwen, co-chair of the SPOA Women in Plant working group, leading training on the Tenstar simulator. (Photo: SPOA)

The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) has created a new role that aims to tackle the skills shortage and promote careers in the plant industry.

The association said the creation of a skills and training lead role represents a “significant milestone.”

President John Sibbald said the role tackles issues that are “always top of the list of concerns when we speak to members.”

He said, “The SPOA has made great strides to address this challenge recently with investment in the Tenstar simulator and training, the introduction of subsidised training programmes and a much stronger relationship with the CITB to develop the plant operator, plant mechanic and crane operator apprenticeships.

“However, we believe that having a permanent full-time member of staff focused on skills and training will mean that we can address this challenge more effectively and better represent the plant industry with all relevant stakeholders including industry bodies, card schemes, schools and of course our members.”

Once appointed, the person who takes the role will assume responsibilty for a number of initiatives, including engaging with members to increase apprenticeship numbers in Scotland, working with parents, schools, colleges and DYW to raise awareness of plant industry careers and devising specific SPOA training courses and promoting existing upskilling courses such as Machine Control.

They will also be responsible for encouraging members to use Tenstar simulator as a recruitment tool, supporting members at events with the plant simulator and identifying funding opportunities for the Association and its members.

The Association added that it is looking to hire someone with five years’ experience in the industry in a training, operational or other associated plant role.