IN THIS SECTION
In this section
Forging Futures Campus
Forging Futures Campus
The Forging Futures Campus is our pioneering skills centre based at Kirkstall Forge. The Campus provides trade and professional apprenticeships, employability skills training courses as well as site visits and work experience for students and local people. We are proud partners with ICON Group, The Skill Mill and Juniper Training.
Our vision for the Forging Futures Campus is to help train Leeds’ future architects, bricklayers, civil engineers, joiners, plumbers and electricians through our apprenticeships and courses with hands-on work experience and mentoring support. Forging Futures Campus showcases a pool of talent in action, which has allowed businesses to be able to visit, monitor and select their apprentices.
Find out more about the current courses and skills initiatives that we are running below.
For referrals and more information please contact info@icongroup.org.uk or Ewan: 07976 964441
Employability Skills Course
Employability Skills Course
The Forging Futures Campus runs a Level 1 Construction Award, up to Level 2 Functional Skills Maths and English, Employability and Managing Your Money Awards courses. With a current success rate of over 70% of those students going on to achieve employment, an apprenticeship or into further education. The course lasts 17 weeks for those aged between 16-19 years old.
These impressive courses can lead to further opportunities, improvements in employment prospects and access to further education in construction. There is also a chance for those taking the course to be put forward for a fully funded CSCS card test which will enhance future job prospects within the construction industry.
For referrals and more information please contact hello@icongroup.org.uk
The Skill Mill
The Skill Mill
We have partnered with the Leeds branch of the social enterprise The Skill Mill since February 2016, providing work and training opportunities on-site at Kirkstall Forge for young people who have been involved with the Youth Offending Service.
The Skill Mill was established in Leeds following a successful pilot in the north east of England. We are proud to be involved with this unique, not for profit social enterprise which employs young people to carry out flood risk management, environmental, horticultural and watercourse management works.
For referrals and more information please contact mark.cooper@leeds.gov.uk
Real Site Skills
Real Site Skills
Who can apply?: 19+, West Yorkshire residents, Employed, Self Employed or Unemployed
What is the Real Site Skills course?: Free for residents of West Yorkshire aged 19+ looking to get a foothold or progress in the construction industry. Fully funded CSCS Green card preparation and test (voucher), NPORS and other industry certifications. (SEE BELOW)
Develop the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes needed to start, or progress a career in the construction sector as a Site Operative.
This training programme is supported by industry experts and employers including , CECA, FMB, CITB, NYCG, Yorkshire Water, WATES, KIER and more.
Content of the course:
Week 1
Day 1 – Induction Day
Day 2 – CSCS card training Health and Safety Awareness in readiness for green card
Day 3 – Abrasive Wheels with practical (cutting/grinding)
Day 4 – Manual Handling/Asbestos Awareness
Week 2
Day 1 – Cable Avoidance & Safe DigTools (Cat4)
Day 2 – Safe Working at Height & Portable Power Tool Safety Training (Breaker/Drill and Wacker)
Day 3 – Fire Safety
Day 4 – Employer Day and Graduation
Book your place: Call or email to book your place on the open day:
hello@icongroup.org.uk or Ewan: 07976 964441
Where: Abbey Rd, Hawksworth, Leeds LS5 3NG, Forging Futures Campus, Award Winning learning facility at Kirkstall Forge, Leeds
Extras: Travel paid, lunch provided, PPE provided
Testimonial:
Just want to say this course has been amazing so far, I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do in the industry, never mind how to get into it. And I feel like the time I’ve spent so far on the course has given me a real insight into both.
Both Ewan and Darren have been so helpful and have clearly made everyone attending the course feel very comfortable and confident in the tasks we’ve been doing.
Thanks for everything so far!
Elliot Hart Marks
Green Skills Academy
Green Skills Academy
All participants will be learning key foundation principles related to a range of green skills methods and practices. These are industry led and are all major factors in the delivery of net low carbon, energy efficient homes, whether new build or retro fitting existing properties and housing stock. In the delivery of this education programme, we will use a blended learning model which makes use of not only classroom sessions, lectures & presentations but whilst we look at the future of the industry, we will also incorporate the future of training by including Virtual Reality immersive modules delivered by our partner Focus XR. There will be an opportunity for participants to attend live sites as well as bespoke, state of the art training facilities to study and learn about green skills carrying out some of the session with industry leaders.
We will also underpin this learning with key modules from our successful Real Site Skills programme to ensure site readiness.
Week 1
Day 1 – Induction & Introduction
Day 2 – NPORS H & S awareness day (CSCS)
Day 3 – Emergency First Aid
Day 4 – Working at Height / Manual Handling
Day 5 – Fire Safety
Week 2
Day 1 – Intro to Passive Housing (new build / retrofit)
Day 2 – Air Tightness –doors, windows & insulation
Day 3 – Insulated Concrete Form (ICF)
Day 4 – Renewable Energy – Solar, PV and Heat pumps
Day 5 – Asbestos Awareness / Power Tool Safety
Week 3
Site visits, Work Experience / Work Trials & Interviews
We will introduce people with little or no knowledge of these principles to a range of new skills, allowing them to access jobs within the industry, increase understanding and also support the industry in spreading the word about how important the green skills agenda is, and the need to use new methods in construction. The business involved will increase their brand awareness, expose their vital work but also recruit people to support growth aspirations and realise future needs and project delivery.
There is a call for more passive housing, more people delivering green projects, there are targets attached to this by government, local authorities, and the industry itself but the simple fact is there isn’t currently the work force to deliver the targets or a sufficient pipeline of people coming through with the pre requisite knowledge or understanding of what is needed nor the skills to become employed in the industry. We hope we can be part of the solution.
The course is suitable for new entrants to the industry, people retraining to enter the industry, self-employed people & those wanting to retrofit their own properties or conducting renovation projects. Businesses who are already delivering projects and need to upskill existing staff can also apply.
12 per cohort, 4 cohorts per contract year 48 learners
