CWIC’s hub has been developed in a state-of-the-art facility at phase 1 of UWTSD’s £350 million development in SA1 Swansea Waterfront with the spokes in Coleg Sir Gâr, Coleg Ceredigion, Coleg y Cymoedd and Coleg Cambria, as well as the Building Research Establishment to deliver specialist construction training at all levels. CWIC offers pan-Wales training via a wider network of education and training providers to ensure that the country has a fully trained workforce for the current and future needs of the industry.

Wales has almost 13,000 companies employing approximately 112,000 with significant growth predicted for the industry. In February 2018 the Construction Industry Training Board reported that Wales leads UK construction growth for the fourth year running and that the sector is set to grow by an average of 4.6% per annum up to 2022. Creating, by then, an extra 12,250 jobs which will increase the workforce to an estimated 121,500 by 2022.

Much of this growth is a result of significant infrastructure projects such as Yr Wylfa Newydd the new nuclear power station in Ynys Mon, the M4 relief road and the South Wales Metro as well as a much increased house building programme which aims to deliver 20,000 affordable homes.

The challenge for the CWIC is to help meet the workforce skills for this growth. One of its main roles is to ensure that Wales has a fully highly skills and adaptable workforce – the right people, in the right place, at the right time and with the right capabilities. Its aim is to improve skills, encourage new entrants into the industry, lead on innovation and ensure industry continues to improve its performance.

The CWIC Hub and its spokes deliver training courses and engagement events from pre-apprenticeship to technical/professional levels. The diverse programme includes specialised construction solutions that are not already offered in sufficient volume or quality.

CWIC is also working in partnership with federations, associations, professional and other industry bodies such as the Federation of Master Builders, Chartered institute of Building, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and Construction Futures Wales. Collectively, these organisations along with construction companies and CWIC are developing a range of employer-education engagement initiatives to promote and enhance the appeal of the construction industry and its wider supply chain. For instance, CWIC is working with Bouygues UK on the development of educational resources for the careers service and school teachers and with Kier Construction on employer-education engagement tools. A further example of truly collaborative partnering has resulted in the first Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship for construction in Wales. UWTSD and CWIC have worked closely with the Chartered Institute of Building, CITB and employers in addressing current skills gaps in construction management and quantity surveying.