A NEW training facility in Banbury is offering fast-track qualification opportunities to people who work or want to work in the construction industry.

Vision Training Services has been established in response to the skills shortage in the town and the surrounding area.

The company will run intensive five-day courses to enable students to start work as soon possible.

The skills shortage was highlighted in the Banbury Cake on November 9 after company bosses complained that not enough qualified young people were coming from schools and colleges.

Chamber of Commerce chairman Tony Ilott said then: "Banbury has a skills shortage in many areas of the workforce."

Initially, Vision Training will provide electrical courses but later in 2007 it will offer training in other trades such as plastering, bricklaying, plumbing, and artexing.

The company, in Thorpe Place, Banbury, is run by Brian Crockett and Steve Cairns - both experienced in the construction industry and lecturing.

The facility will begin courses in mid-January, and hopes to have around ten students on the first sessions.

Mr Crockett said: "We are registered with curriculum provider EAL as an approved centre for the provision of electrical training for Building Regulation Part P self-certification. The qualification will enable those who pass our course to register as competent contractors with the national inspection council.

"We aim to provide candidates with intensive high-quality courses to enable them to use their new skills or start a new career immediately afterwards.

"Our training simulates real-life conditions by using testing rigs to help students understand the nature of the work involved."

Part P of the building regulations was introduced to reduce deaths, injuries, and fires caused by faulty electrical installations, and to make it harder for unqualified people to operate.

Mr Cairns said: "The course is open to anyone regardless of age, sex, or religion. All we ask for is a positive attitude. Courses cost £795 and career loans and grants for those who can't pay the fees may be available from Job Centre Plus or Connexions.

"It is mainly suitable for people who want to do domestic electrical work such as installing security and garden lighting, showers, power supplies to outbuildings, sockets, extractor fans etc, and rewires and repairs.

"Competent electricians can earn up to £240 a day."

Mr Cairns is a qualified electrician. He teaches electrical skills to inmates at Bullingdon Prison and lectures at Milton Keynes College.

Mr Crocket is the former editor of the Training and Enterprise Journal, and has been a part-time college lecturer for eight years.