1. What is the MUTA Development Programme?
This development programme has been specifically designed to address the unique skill base and daily challenges encountered in the temporary structure hire industry. Successful candidates will gain:
- A level 2 Diploma in Team Leading certificated by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), and
- A level 3 Diploma in Temporary Structures certificated by EDI
2. How is the programme delivered?
The programme is delivered using a combination of:
- 2 and 3 day workshops which are held out of season,
- One to one telephone support,
- On-site observations and assessment,
- Distance learning and activity packs,
- In-house support from a mentor in the candidate’s own organisation.
3. Why should my staff undertake this programme?
The two qualifications in this programme recognise experience and competence as a team leader and site supervisor in the temporary structures industry. The awards are gained by the candidate showing that he or she possesses the necessary skills, knowledge, understanding and attitude necessary to carry out the job successfully and by demonstrating their practical application on site. Possession of these qualifications means that an individual is recognised as being both experienced and competent in those skills that matter in our industry. You, in turn, can use possession of these qualifications to satisfy potential customers as to the expertise of your staff.
4. How long does the programme last?
The programme starts in the autumn/winter with a three-day workshop and will last for approximately 18 months, i.e. it will cover two winters and one summer.
5. What will my candidate have to do?
During the winter a candidate will be expected to:
- Attend and contribute to the workshops,
- Complete and send in a number of activity packs in accordance with a timetable agreed between him/her, the programme tutor/assessor and his/her employer,
- Keep in touch regularly with the programme tutor/assessor and report any problems in completing the activity packs to him.
During the summer the candidate will be expected to:
- Collect evidence in accordance with an agreed plan; this evidence will include copies of job sheets, plans, load lists etc for several jobs.
6. What will the employer have to do?
By signing up to the programme the employer agrees to:
- Enable the candidate to attend all of the workshops,
- Provide study time during the winter period for the candidate to complete activity packs and contact the programme tutor/assessor,
- Appoint an in-house mentor to support the candidate and monitor his/her progress through the programme,
- Facilitate evidence collection,
- Liaise regularly with the programme tutor/assessor on the candidate’s progress,
- Report any problems to the tutor/assessor so that they can be addressed as soon as possible.
What is the cost of the programme?
The cost of providing the combined L2 & L3 MUTA Development Programme is £3200. All MUTA members receive a £600 discount on the cost of the MUTA Development Programme so reducing its cost to £2600.
For England-based members, the current government Train to Gain scheme makes approximately £2000 available for each eligible candidate. This reduces the cost of the programme to £600, payable in two instalments of £300. For non-members, the cost of the programme is £1200, payable up front.
For England based members, Train to Gain wage compensation allows employers with less than 50 permanent employees to claim up to 70 hours wage compensation for each successful candidate. The hours claimable are based on tutor contact time, e.g. attendance at programme workshops. When wage compensation is claimed, the cost of the programme to England-based members is further reduced. Registration for wage compensation claims are made by the employers through their local Business Link skills broker.
The Train to Gain scheme is not available for employers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However other funding schemes for nationally recognised training are available from these devolved administrations and employers are encouraged to investigate all locally available initiatives for their candidates. MUTA will assist members in this process so far as is possible.
7. Who is eligible to undertake this development programme?
With very few exceptions, all team leaders/foremen employed in our industry are eligible to undertake the development programme. However, continued government support funding for the programme depends on at least 80% of all candidates achieving successful outcomes. You should, therefore, only register a candidate for this programme if you feel that:
- The candidate is working as an assistant foreman/charge hand or above;
- The candidate wants to do the programme and is likely to persevere with it;
- The candidate will be able to do all of the things mentioned in section 5 above; and
- The Employer is willing to carry out all of the actions outlined in section 6 above.
A candidate’s progression to the level 3 award on the 2009 offer terms is dependent on his/her successful completion of the level 2 award and on the continuance of current government funding.
8. What if my candidate has poor reading and writing skills?
he qualifications in this programme relate to experience and competence as a team leader and supervisor in the temporary structures industry. A poor standard of reading or written English is therefore not a bar to undertaking the programme. However, if your candidate does have poor reading or writing skills you, the employer, must be prepared to provide additional support such as nominating a colleague to read and to complete the written element of the activity packs at the candidate’s dictation. Experience with some previous and current NVQ candidates has shown that some individuals with poor reading or writing skills can be first class site foremen, and a bit of additional support can enable them to successfully complete the programme and gain recognition for what they can do.
9. What do I do now?
To register a candidate onto the programme, or to get more information about it, please contact our education providers:
Peggy Glendinning
MUTA Qualifications Office
Tel: 01507 533639
E-mail: training@muta.org.uk