TWO local businesses have joined forces to support the construction sector, helping with housebuilding and major infrastructure projects.

Dalton-based Wetherby Group and Thirsk’s SuperSkills Construction Training are working together to train people in the use of external render coatings.

In a demonstration of the demand for this type of training, 16 rendering specialists from all over the country arrived at SuperSkills in Thirsk this week to gain skills in applying Wetherby’s Ecorend product.

Over two days, they learned about the product, from its development to the best way to apply it for a long-lasting and eco-friendly external coating to houses and other buildings.

To make sure people attending the sessions gain every benefit possible, SuperSkills have gained accreditation to deliver an External Rendering National Vocational Qualification in addition to the many other courses they offer to people from all over the country.

Successful achievement of the NVQ means graduates have the skills to apply the renders available and gain the necessary Construction Skills Certification Scheme card to work on building sites.

Alex Chalmers, managing director of Wetherby group, said “We’re delighted to be able to use SuperSkills to train people on our new products. We are sure people coming to these sessions will benefit enormously from them.”

Peter Walker, chief executive of SuperSkills, said “Both SuperSkills and Wetherby Group have national recognition for what we do and developing NVQ training is a natural progression as we both continue to grow.”