UK Metal Decking Association Launches National NVQ

For the first time in five years, nationally recognised NVQ’s in Metal Decking and Stud Welding have been awarded through a brand new training and qualification scheme set up by the U.K. Metal Decking Association (UKMDA).
In 2013, ECITB withdrew the NVQ Qualifications, leaving the industry without an industry recognised way of formally qualifying the workforce, but after months of lobbying, the UKMDA stepped in to develop the National Occupational Standard with the support of CITB. The qualification enables holders to obtain a Blue Skilled Worker CSCS card in Metal Decking and Stud Welding.
Joe Gaughan, UKMDA Chairman awarded the first seven qualifications to the candidates and their company representatives in the beautiful surroundings of the Callow Hall Hotel, near Ashbourne, on Monday 11th June.

• The first wave of Metal Decking & Studwelding NVQ candidates were:
  Viorel Caldare and Callum Gowland, from Durham Complete Decking Ltd, accompanied by Glen McDonald – Durham Complete Decking’s MD
• Damien Nixon, David Holt, Stephen Dey, Dean Craster and Peter Bland, from Northern Steel Decking Ltd, accompanied by Carl Baxter, Northern Steel Decking’s Senior Contracts Manager

Tony Seddon, UKMDA’s Company Secretary says: “This is massive news for the construction industry. There’s been a huge hole in the metal decking and studwelding training sector for almost half a decade now and we are thrilled to have developed this excellent formal qualification, which sets a new standard for those working in this busy sector. It’s now up to the construction industry to get behind the NVQ, with support from UKMDA and CITB.”

UKMDA Chairman Joe Gaughan added: “We are very proud of what we have achieved since the association was launched in June 2015. This NVQ now means the industry has a formally recognised and thorough qualification and there is a career path for those entering the industry.”

Many more NVQ qualifications are in the process of being assessed and will roll out in coming months. For information on the NVQ and UKMDA training scheme, please visit www.ukmda.org.uk or email tony.seddon@ukmda.org.uk.