The initiative will upskill existing workers while supporting the next generation of building safety professionals
The shortage of building safety skills has been identified as a key barrier to delivering 1.5 million new homes. This funding is therefore intended to train up to 700 new registered building inspectors while also upskilling the existing workforce.
Fire safety is a key aspect of the profession
Building control and fire engineering staff will receive boosts from the funding, including Class 3H inspectors, able to inspect High-Risk Buildings, and fire engineers.
The programme will run for three years and follows recommendations from the House of Lords Regulatory Committee, as well as responses to calls for evidence from the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel and the Building Control Independent Panel.
£55m will be allocated to Building Control, while £15m will go towards the Fire Engineering sector. It will be split as such:
Building Control:
- Funding for local authorities’ building control teams in England to recruit new RBIs and train them to the required standard (Class 2).
- Funding for local authorities’ building control teams in England to upskill existing RBIs, with many to the standard to inspect High-Risk Buildings (Class 3H).
- Funding for the training of new entrants in Registered Building Control Approvers and local authorities
Fire Engineering:
- Funding will develop higher education provision, including:
- Providing bursaries at postgraduate level.
- And increasing research and academic development.
- The mechanisms for applying for the funds are currently under development and more information will be published in the coming months.
Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy, Samantha Dixon, said: “We’re boosting the building safety workforce to get more skilled building inspectors and fire engineers into the system quickly to keep people safe and unlock the new homes this country needs.
“This is a vital step in building 1.5 million safe homes and ensuring we continue to deliver on lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.”
Safety is a key aspect of policy
In February, the government published a white paper on improving the use of stronger building products in the wake of the Grenfell recommendations.
The white paper proposes regulations to ensure that all construction products are assessed for suitability and safety in construction projects. At present, only about a third of construction products used in the UK are assessed.
Housing secretary, Steve Reed, said: “The Grenfell fire was a tragedy that must never be repeated.
“Everyone should feel safe in their home. We are making progress implementing the Inquiry recommendations, but there is more to do as we continue to learn and act on the mistakes of the past.”
Minister for building safety, fire and democracy, Samantha Dixon, said: “We will never forget the tragedy of Grenfell and will continue working with the local community, industry and local authorities to deliver safer homes and lasting change.
“The failings outlined by the inquiry exposed fundamental issues in product, building and fire safety standards and through the Construction Products White Paper and our work to implement all the recommendations of the inquiry, we will create a better system for millions of people across the country.
