The construction industry knows with the Thames Gateway regeneration and preparation for the Olympics in full swing, it needs a skilled workforce. Kerry Ann Eustice visits an on-site training centre to find out more.

Health and safety on the building site and the need for a well-trained constructionworkforce are moving higher up the political agenda.

So employers, unions and education bodies in the south east are strengthening relationships and stepping up their training programme.

Relocating from its old home on a Thames-side barge, Canary Wharf's construction skills learning centre has been re-launched as the George Brumwell Learning Centre as part of a continued partnership between the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), Lewisham College Trade Union Studies Centre and Canary Wharf Recruitment and Training Centre.

The centre was opened earlier this month by MP Hazel Blears who, along with representatives from each cornerstone of the partnership, made a speech about how important it is to widen access to education for the construction workforce and give workers the chance to progress. She also said the centre was a fitting tribute to George Brumwell - the former general secretary of UCATT and a life-long supporter of training and education for construction workers.

Hazel said: "I think it's a fantastic centre. Seeing trade unions work with employers and doing things together is fantastic. We now have people coming into our cities from other countries and there is a need for basic skills."

She added: "Health and safety is very important, especially when you are 500ft in the air and using heavy machinery. We can always do more to create a safer environment.

"There is a huge demand from the workforce. It is construction workers' opportunity to get more skills. People realise the world of work is evolving and training is a big part of that."

Originally opened in 2002, the learning centre was the first of its kind to be set up on construction site.

Its expansion is also a result of increased demand for Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) accreditation and George Brumwell is a designated Prometric Test Centre for the CSCS.

CSCS is an industry-recognised qualification which proves a worker is competent and health and safety aware in their field.

Rossina Harris, Lewisham College's head of trade union studies, says CSCS is fast becoming the industry standard.

She said: "Making the construction industry safer is now a huge priority and health and safety is a big draw for people coming to train here.

"There is real emphasis on this within the industry. Employers are keen for their operatives to take the test. It results in a better workforce.

"The test covers information such as what clothing should be worn when welding, new legislation being introduced, what fire extinguisher should be used when there is an electrical fault and involves learning to read signs, especially for learners whose first language is not English."

Current emphasis on health and safety in construction boils down to some shocking figures. The Health & Safety Executive's research found there were 59 fatal injuries to workers in construction in 2005/06. This is a decrease on the previous year of 69 fatalities but the industry as a whole recognises action must be taken.

To show solidarity, workers from all areas of construction have taken, or will be taking, the test. Rossina says everyone from smartly-suited company directors and construction-savvy site managers to highly-skilled tradesman and general labourers have passed their CSCS here.

Literacy and numeracy are also included in the centre's training package. This includes tradesmen being taught useful spellings and numerical skills for carrying out calculations and migrant workers being helped to improve their English.

Learners often go on to find promotion in roles such as safety managers or learning representatives.

Rossina said: "It offers them a chance at real progression. Learners can obtain qualifications up to an NVQ Level 4. Construction workers need to be offered this education; be given the confidence to learn. We help people do their job even better."

George Brumwell is now leading the way for similar centres to be set up at other construction sites.

It is being used as a model of good practice for the Olympic Park - a 500-acre development site in Stratford and potentially for regeneration areas in the Thames Gateway.