Will Skoyles NCC Plant Programme Manager

At CITB National Construction College (NCC), we’re committed to developing the next generation of skilled professionals. Hear from Will Skoyles, our Plant Programme Manager, about his journey from the tools to the classroom.

Tell us about your career and how you started in construction?

My career actually started at the National Construction College (NCC) at the age of 16. I was successful in securing a job as a Plant Mechanic apprentice the year I left school. After several years I moved into the training and testing side of the college, in particular the cranes and lifting operation elements.

I left NCC for a short period to take on a new challenge, working for the Construction Plant Certification Scheme (CPCS) as a technical developer and later for a tower crane company - but I missed training.   

When the opportunity came up, I applied to come back to NCC as a Plant Lecturer before recently securing the role as Programme Manager, predominantly for the crane/lifting side of training.

What feedback do we get from customers and employers who attend crane training at NCC?

The feedback we get for crane training is fantastic and positive. Most of the training is delivered to individuals looking for a career change, upskilling or progression, though we also work with employers who send their staff for training.

The team at NCC are committed to delivering the highest quality training, and customer feedback plays a vital role in our continuous improvement.

What crane equipment does NCC use and what makes us the best?

Our facilities and equipment are industry-representative and up-to-date, making sure trainees gain real-world experience. We provide a variety of lifting accessories and cranes, including:

• Two lattice boom Kobelco crawler cranes
• One telescopic Sennebogen crawler crane
• Two Terex Demag mobile cranes
• One Wolffkran flat top tower crane
• One Terex Comedil luffing jib crane.

We make sure you have the best experience possible by using equipment from various manufactures and the varying types available within industry.

Inside our training hangar we have multiple classrooms to accommodate various group sizes, as well as a simulator suite with 12 state-of-the-art simulators, offering training across multiple categories of plant, including various crane types.

These benefit from a safety and damage aspect to make sure individuals are familiar with control layout prior to working on the actual machine and then also replicate tasks that would be carried out on a live site.

Why should someone consider NCC for their crane training?

NCC is one of the largest and most respected construction training providers in the UK. Our long-standing reputation ensures our courses are of high quality and meet industry standards.

We offer a wide range of crane-related training programs, including:

• Mobile cranes
• Tower cranes
• Crawler cranes
• Slinger/signaller training

These courses cover both theoretical and practical aspects of crane operation, ensuring trainees become well-rounded professionals.

Training is accredited by key organisations such as CPCS. This ensures operators meet nationally recognised standards. All courses are delivered by highly skilled and experienced trainers who bring real industry expertise to the classroom.

As part of CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), NCC is dedicated to supporting and advancing the construction sector.  Our training aligns with industry demands and helps address skills shortages. Eligible candidates may also access CITB funding or grants, reducing the financial burden of training.

Want to have a chat about your training requirements?  Call: 0344 994 4433 or email: ncc.accountmanager@citb.co.uk today!