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CCS Scaffolding Take Out The Talent Packs!
One NASC member, CCS Scaffolding Ltd, has been making use of NASC’s new Talent Packs as it seeks to develop interest in the industry among young people.
CCS Scaffolding Ltd is based in Northfleet, Kent, but serves customers across the UK. Established in 2011 by Gary Coote, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering comprehensive scaffolding solutions across various sectors, including commercial, civil engineering, rail, and infrastructure.
Operations Director Leon Watson and Trainee Scaffolder Tyler Cheeseman attended a Careers Fair at Hayes College to showcase scaffolding as a dynamic and rewarding career path and to promote apprenticeship opportunities within
their company and the wider industry. Their goal was to engage the next generation and highlight the long-term career potential available in scaffolding, especially to those who may not have previously considered it. Leon said:
“We brought along the NASC Talent Pack along
with a range of branded marketing materials, including banners, promotional memory sticks, cups and pens. These helped spark conversations and left students with useful takeaways to remember us by. The most successful aspect was the positive interaction with the students. There was genuine interest from both male and female attendees, and we were encouraged by the number of students asking questions and expressing interest in apprenticeships. The VR scaffold experience also proved to be a great talking point and helped us stand out. The session had a strong impact. Many students left with a better understanding of the scaffolding industry and the career pathways available. We helped shift perceptions and opened doors for young people to consider roles in a sector that is both essential and full of opportunity. Several students expressed interest in joining our apprenticeship programme, and we are currently awaiting CV submissions. The event reinforced the importance of engaging directly with
young people, and we’ve recognised that attending more of these events is vital if we want
to attract fresh talent and secure the future of our industry.”
Members can book VR Headsets for a careers event at any time. Just email rebekah.jardine@nasc.org.uk To find out more about how NASC can support you attending events, visit www.scaffoldingcareers.com.
Shield Offers A Second Chance
NASC has, for a long time, championed the training and employment by scaffolding companies of rehabilitated offenders. In an industry where good quality workers are so short, hard-working rehabilitated offenders can make outstanding scaffolders. One company who is making this happen is Shield Services Group. In an effort to provide meaningful employment opportunities to rehabilitated offenders and support their reintegration into society, Shield Services Group, a multidisciplinary construction company with a strong Scaffolding offer, initiated the ‘Second Chance’ scheme. This case study explores the objectives, implementation, challenges, and outcomes of this initiative, which focuses on employing returning citizens within the company’s scaffolding division. The Second Chance scheme was launched in collaboration with HMP Leyhill, a category D prison in Gloucestershire. The primary goal of the intervention is to aid the rehabilitation of returning citizens by offering them employment opportunities ahead of their release. This initiative aligns with Shield’s mission to demonstrate that individuals deserve a second chance to succeed.
Implementation
Shield Services Group engaged with key personnel within the work experience and probation teams at HMP Leyhill to onboard returning citizens. The company looks for specific criteria in candidates, including personality and work ethic, to ensure they fit well within the family-run business. Comprehensive interviews are conducted to understand candidates’ journeys, their remorse, and their commitment to investing in their future. Since the initiative’s inception in 2022, Shield has consistently employed 6-8 operatives under the Second Chance scheme. Over 25 individuals have participated in the programme now, gaining skills and experience in the scaffolding industry. Many have returned to society with training, CISRS cards, and references for future employment.
Challenges and solutions
The scheme has faced several challenges, including high staff turnover due to candidates returning to their home regions or being moved to other facilities. Additionally, the stringent conditions imposed by the prison facility can lead to last-minute absences or terminations due to behavioural or licence breaches. Maintaining CISRS card requirements for NASC Contractor membership while supporting the social value initiative has also been a challenge. Colleagues are introduced into scaffolding in the yard in the first instance until HSE Tests and provisional CSCS cards are awarded. Due to the potentially fragile nature of these employment relationships and for the sake of protecting business interests, investment in COTS training for CISRS cards is offered within three months for the purposes of upskilling candidates who have demonstrated commitment to their own licence conditions to maintain employment. Shield’s agreement with the prison is such that the Second Chance cohort must remain within a 40 mile radius of HMP Leyhill, which is an important consideration when allocating labour resource to projects. Individuals are also subject to curfews, so their typical working hours are 7am to 4pm. To address these challenges, Shield Services Group has implemented several solutions. The company provides a separate minibus for ROTL (Release on Temporary Licence) colleagues to use, allowing them to start work earlier and
earn higher wages. This demonstrates the company’s faith and trust in the candidates. Shield has also developed a robust training programme to maintain CISRS card requirements and ensure the long-term success of the initiative
Impact and Outcomes
The Second Chance scheme has had a significant impact on both the returning citizens and Shield Services Group. Many participants have expressed that working with Shield has made them feel ‘like a human again’. The integration of ROTL colleagues into the workforce has improved camaraderie and morale among all employees. The scheme has also helped fill labour shortages with enthusiastic and dedicated team members. Shield has offered full-time opportunities to several candidates on their release. Only 20% of ROTL programme candidates have accepted full-time job offers upon their release, as many understandably elect to return to their home towns. Despite this, Shield is very happy with the outcomes, knowing that their contributions to all of the individuals under this scheme have helped them gain meaningful employment and reintegrate into society.