Toolbox Training – Background Information

The Company

Toolbox Training is managed by two directors, Martin and Suzanne and has grown from its base in the midlands to become a national provider of work based learning solutions.

The two directors have over 15 years experience of delivering and managing government funded education and training programmes, primarily in the construction sector but also within related sectors.

Toolbox Training undergoes rigorous quality assurance and audit from both its further education partners to become an approved supplier and from the Construction Awards Alliance (formerly CITB / C&G) to become an accredited centre and has been approved as a “low risk” provider under SFA audit regulations.

The Directors

Operations Director – Suzanne Higginson-Stilgoe, BA, Cert Ed

Having achieved her education degree Suzanne started her career by designing and managing the first programme in the country to bring disadvantaged young people out of school and into a college environment and since then she has gone on to deliver a number of notable innovations including education programmes and engineering academies aimed and targeted at the brightest and most talent young people.

Since entering the construction sector she has never lost her passion to motivate and inspire learners and is happiest on site, talking to candidates and supporting the assessors.

Managing Director – Martin Stilgoe, BSc, BPS

Martin’s background is in business development and has worked as an outplacement consultant, a manager within the Leaning and Skills Council (now the Skills Funding Agency) and as a director within large training providers.

Martin – “My role within Toolbox is to work with our clients, understand their organisation needs and design training and assessments solutions which address these. In these difficult times, grant recovery is often key, with many of our clients using the surplus generated from our activity to reinvest in the workforce. It’s a credit to all our staff that every employer we have worked with has reused our services.”

Our people

Our staff are all time served, experienced people within their sector who have gone on to train as assessors, verifiers and trainers. Our internal verifiers average 25 years experience of assessment and training whilst assessors / trainers typically average over 15 years in their sector.

CAA

Latest News

August 12 – Green Initiatives
Toolbox Training gained accreditation to deliver L2 NVQ Certificate in Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction) required by companies delivering external rendering under the Green Deal. Funding for these qualifications can be secured through the Department for Environment and Climate Change.

July 12 – High praise for Toolbox Training
Toolbox Training are thrilled that having undergone a recent EQA visit from Cskills that for the fourth year running they have no actions and have been praised for their high standard of activity including “a clear representation of the learner journey alongside the centres strong systems which demonstrate how the centre operates at a high level” Operations Director Suzanne Higginson-Stilgoe commented “We are delighted that once again we have been praised on the quality of the work we deliver on our programmes and aim to continue to strive forward with structured growth within our NVQ programmes and new apprenticeship academy opening this year. The feedback we have received from both learners and employers has been excellent and we will continue to be a high quality training provider within the construction sector”

June 12 – Olympic Fever
As London prepared for Olympic fever, Toolbox Training continued its relationship with FWA (Fairhurst Ward Abbotts) and delivered an NVQ programme for its Arts and Culture team which are responsible for maintaining many of London’s most iconic buildings.

Assessors were on-site with the team at venues including Hampton Court and the National Maritime Museum as they were being prepared for Olympic events alongside other historic buildings which FWA service including The Houses of Parliament, The Science Museum and The National Gallery.

As you can imagine FWA’s team deliver workmanship of the highest quality and James Vevers, Director of Arts and Culture said “The NVQ programme has been a positive experience for everybody at FWA and in addition to delivering a fully CSCS carded workforce feedback has been that candidates were motivated by the external recognition of their skills.”

Toolbox Training is looking forward to continuing their relationship with FWA into the new contract year

May 12 – Demolition NVQs
Toolbox Training is now accredited to deliver a range of Demolition NVQs including NVQ 2 Demolition Operative, NVQ 2 Demolition Plant and NVQ 3 Demolition Site Supervisor.

March 12 – OSAT Assessors Required
Due to expansion we're seeking experienced OSAT assessors, with up to date qualifications, who are willing to be self employed and work nationally. Applications are particularly welcome from individuals able to assess across a range of trades and Occupational Work Supervision and Construction Site Management. To express your interest please email your CV.

February 12 – Fully Funded NVQ Places
Due to our performance over the last 12 months Toolbox Training has received additional allocations of government funding so we can now offer fully funded and part funded places on our NVQ 2 and NVQ 3 programmes. Demand for these places is high so please get in touch asap to discuss either your own or your company's requirements.

December 11 – NVQ 4 (QCF Level 6):
Toolbox Training is now accredited to deliver NVQ 4 (QCF Level 6) qualifications in Construction Site Management and Construction Contracting Operations required by managers seeking to gain CSCS Black Card - Manager.