In its latest initiative to help Scotland’s building sector, the Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum has used technology, creating a digital learning toolkit to promote best practice.
Working with Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, linking business’, university experts and public sector providers, the Forum launched the Be Covid Smart learning programme.
Using a series of digital scenarios, this training programme aims to raise awareness of COVID-19 safety by:
- educating
- encouraging
- empowering
Recognising that the safe return of workers to site is a challenge, Be Covid Smart provides a fun, quiz-based toolkit that can be accessed via mobile, or laptop, hosted on the CSIC website.
Iain McCaskey, Head of Devolved Nations at the Building Engineering Services Association and Head of the CICV Forum Skills Group, who is leading the programme, says: “The Forum identified the need for a safe return to work, also for reassurance for apprentices, their families and employers.
“This learning solution will not only raise awareness of safety, but identify the user’s knowledge of the steps to protect themselves and others.
“Be Covid Smart will be available to everyone within Scottish construction. However, initial targets will be small site operators and companies employing apprentices, as this is where support is needed.”
The toolkit will start supporting domestic work and apprentices and their colleges, exploring the health and safety aspects of working within a college workshop, around the building and how to get to and from work or college.
Lisa Deane, Lead Future Skills Manager at CSIC, states: “We’re launching the platform with place of learning and domestic work modules, followed closely by On-Site modules.
“We’ve worked with the Glasgow School of Art to bring a fun way to learn COVID-19 safety practices, which will give the workforce, businesses and customers confidence in the industries high safety standards.
“This is a new approach within the construction industry, which can be updated as circumstances change and which could support markets outside of Scotland interested in the ways we’re dealing with a return to work.”
The project was funded by CSIC’s i-Con Challenge Fund, to support the construction industry.
It’s just one in a string of forum initiatives, including travel advice, underpinning operating guidance and a series of commercial and employment webinars to give advice on redundancy, payments and conflict avoidance.
Made up of more than 70 trade associations, the Forum has maintained a supply of information and advice to the sector, as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and making appeals to Government.
