Specialist Training Company Launches Industry Water Academy to Plug Skills Gaps and Create Employment Opportunities

One of the UK’s leading providers of specialist training and assessment to the water and utilities sectors has announced the launch of an UK industry dedicated Water Skills Academy.

The Academy – which has been developed by Scotland based McCrae Training – is made up of a network of training and education providers, awarding bodies, skills agencies and funding providers, to promote certified contractor status within the water industry and to tackle the skills challenges faced by the sector.

The Academy – and its partners – will focus on raising industry standards across the UK and Ireland by providing individuals and contractors with the opportunity to become certified. It will also focus on creating opportunities for individuals of all ages to be trained, developed and to secure sustainable employment in the water industry.

Speaking about the Academy, founder and MD of McCrae Training, Scott McCrae said: “There is real evidence – based on the Workforce Renewals and Skills Strategy 2020 – 2025 that the UK water industry is going to face some distinct skill shortages in the coming five to ten years. 18% of this workforce is over the age of 55 and is set to retire. Unless we start to address skill gaps in the industry from this point, we are likely to face some significant skill shortages in the coming years.”

As part of the Water Skills Academy, a dedicated web portal is being launched which contains the details of both training courses and partner agencies. The portal will enable individuals and contractors to locate training, access available funding opportunities and begin a process of certification.

Leading the Water Industry Skills Academy, McCrae Training is also underway developing a network of trainers across both the UK and Ireland with centres in these locations expected to open in the very near future.

McCrae Training Ltd has been supporting the development of Water and Utility Sector staff for over nine years and the business now supports Water and Waste Water Contractors and Consultants. The company was awarded Water Industry Training Organisation of the Year by Energy & Utility Skills for two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019, and recently shortlisted as a Finalist for the Water Industry Awards 2021 in May.

The business with its Headquarters in East Kilbride – is the only provider in Scotland to offer Water Industry Modern Apprenticeships and Design of Water Networks qualifications, and is already underway with growth plans that will see it invest in new sites across the UK and widen its geographical offering to increase delivery of training and consultancy services along with expanding the reach of the Water Industry Skills Academy.

Further information on our Water Industry Skills Academy will be shared via the launch of the our new web portal in August 2021.

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