On Friday 14th February 2020, over 60 Members gathered at The Montague on the Gardens Hotel, London for the Annual General Meeting of the National Demolition Training Group, hosted and chaired by the current NDTG Chairman, David Darsey, supported by Group CEO, Howard Button.

Members took the opportunity to browse the range of displays illustrating NDTG highlights and deliverables from 2019, network with like-minded professionals and raise their questions during a high-energy morning meeting.

With guest presenter Chris Carter-Rowlands, Deputy Head of Construction at NOCN, delivering an important update, the audience were able to get their questions answered regarding the CPCS transfer and hear more about the key projects currently taking place at NOCN.

Carl Licorish, of the CITB’s Partnerships Team, was in attendance to share details of the Skills & Training Fund due to come into effect for employers in April 2020.

AGM Attendees were updated on the NDTG business operations over the past year, along with current projects and initiatives in the pipeline, by Group Manager, Lesley Ransome, Group Training Officer, Iain Kirk, and Group Marketing Manager, Natalie Barlow.

Key investments for the previous year were shared, notably the NDTG’s investment in the promotion of careers in demolition as a Feature Exhibitor at World Skills UK Live and the launch of the company’s new and streamlined website.

NDTG chose the AGM platform to reinforce its commitment to driving the costs of demolition training down for employers and individuals, in particular the offer of 50% funded CCDO courses that have been available to Members over the past 10 months and will remain available until funding expires on 31st March 2020.

National Demolition Training Group also highlighted the industry challenge we are facing with the volume of demolition operatives remaining on the red ‘Trained Operative’ CCDO card, which is valid for a three-year timeframe only and cannot be renewed. In order to encourage more of the demolition workforce to qualify their card to ‘Competent Operative’ with the appropriate level NVQ, NDTG is onboarding new NVQ Assessors and reducing the costs of NVQs by 15-18% from February 17th 2020.

Due focus and attention were given to the National Federation of Demolition Contractor’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme, administered by NDTG. The programme creators, David Price and Steve Muggridge, shared an update of how the programme has been received by Members so far – and implored more demolition employers to take the valuable opportunity to gain the necessary know-how and confidence to support their workforce by participating in the CPD certified workshops over 2020.

An appeal was made for Members to ensure those who organise training for the demolition workforce are in receipt of NDTG’s upgraded communications, detailing course alerts, funding opportunities, training news and key issues. Members can nominate contacts, or subscribe individuals, in a number of ways – a call to the NDTG team, an email to: hello@ndtg.training, via Live Chat, or by submitting an online subscription form through demolition.training.

A highly productive and interactive AGM was concluded with the Chairman’s thanks to the NDTG team for their commitment to raising training standards and supporting Members, and in turn to the Members for their interest and active participation in the 2020 Annual General Meeting.