Business : Training & Skills News
Recruitment drive after inspiring construction career campaign

Recruitment drive after inspiring construction career campaign

A month-long campaign to highlight the value of choosing construction as a profession has culminated in a new recruitment drive by a Northampton-based construction company. To celebrate Careers in Construction month during October, Bhangals Construction Consultants launched the Build A Career at Bhangals campaign, which showcased the variety of roles

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Cavanna is investing in the next generation of homebuilders

Cavanna is investing in the next generation of homebuilders

Cavanna Homes is investing in training the next generation of homebuilders in the construction industry, teaching vital skills to on-site and office staff as part of the homebuilder’s commitment to nurturing talent. Under the leadership of People & Culture Manager, Sophie Aylott, who joined Cavanna Homes earlier this year, the

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Health and Safety takes centre stage for AG Safe Day initiative

Health and Safety takes centre stage for AG Safe Day initiative

AG has reinforced the importance of health and safety to its 230-strong workforce with its annual safety campaign and ‘Safe Day’ last month. The specialist building products business which has manufacturing locations in Fivemiletown, Toome , Carryduff and Pomeroy chose Health and Safety as its core employee engagement theme for

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The Retrofit Academy strengthens training network by opening 10th hub

The Retrofit Academy strengthens training network by opening 10th hub

The Retrofit Academy has opened its Hampshire Training Hub in partnership with workforce solutions and training specialist, SERT Training, increasing its nationwide network of training hubs to 10. As Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Homes Upgrade Grant (HUG) funding increases demand for retrofit talent, The Retrofit Academy Hampshire has

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Bond Bryan Architects Launch New Partnership with Bradford College

Bond Bryan Architects Launch New Partnership with Bradford College

A brand new ‘Academy’ based at the Bradford College Trinity Green Campus has launched in partnership with Sheffield-based architects, Bond Bryan. The Bond Bryan Academy will see the company’s team of highly skilled professionals serve as guest lecturers, adding vital industry knowledge and perspective to Bradford College students’ learning.  Bond

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SkillBuild Final welcomes visitors to try their hand at construction

SkillBuild Final welcomes visitors to try their hand at construction

After more than 1,000 registrations and 17 regional heats, the top construction trainees from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been named as competitors at the SkillBuild National Final 2023. SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and showcases some of the brightest talent in

Read More »
New Apprentice Cohort Joins Caddick Construction

New Apprentice Cohort Joins Caddick Construction

Caddick Construction Group is ramping up its investment in the future workforce with the recruitment of seven new apprentices and two new trainees, boosting the Group’s provision of work-based learning across the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Midlands. The new recruits include Apprentice Quantity Surveyor (QS), Isabelle Roberts, who

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New internships will provide vital skills for those looking to pursue careers in construction

New internships will provide vital skills for those looking to pursue careers in construction

As part of its commitment to upskilling the next generation, McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), has welcomed four new interns to its construction division, helping young individuals to gain valuable experience and strengthen their skill set. Apprentice planner, Tommy Bordicott; trainee quantity surveyor, Robbie Yusuf; trainee quantity surveyor Ellie Marnell

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Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

Business : Training & Skills News

Recruitment drive after inspiring construction career campaign

Recruitment drive after inspiring construction career campaign

A month-long campaign to highlight the value of choosing construction as a profession has culminated in a new recruitment drive by a Northampton-based construction company. To celebrate Careers in Construction month during October, Bhangals Construction Consultants launched the Build A Career at Bhangals campaign, which showcased the variety of roles available in the sector and at the company itself. As part of the campaign, four Bhangals employees told their stories, which were covered in local and national press, via videos and on social media. Now the company is embarking on a recruitment drive to offer others the opportunity to progress a career in the construction industry. The job vacancies will see the company expand its workforce from 25 to 40 – a headcount growth of 60% by the end of next year. Available roles include Junior Estimator, Intermediate Estimator, Senior Estimator and Client Service positions. Operations Manager Katie Newman is one of the individuals who shared her story as part of the Build A Career at Bhangals campaign, said: “The campaign shone a spotlight on some of the opportunities available in the construction industry and gave a flavour of what you can expect working in this sector. “We hope this will now inspire more people to apply for the roles that we currently have available at Bhangals and encourage those who haven’t previously considered construction as an option to wider their horizons and maybe take that leap in to something new.” Managing Director Parm Bhangal added: “We are proud of the business we have built and have real ambitions to grow even more as we move into 2024. It is an exciting time to join Bhangals Construction Consultants and enter or continue a career in construction with us. We look forward to receiving the applications and growing our team further.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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West Yorkshire Colleges secure funding to accelerate digital innovation in education

West Yorkshire Colleges secure funding to accelerate digital innovation in education

West Yorkshire Colleges, including Leeds College of Building, have been successful in securing £6.9 million from the Department for Education to digitise teaching and learning in key sectors.  The funding is part of the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) and will launch a West Yorkshire digital innovation project led by colleges. The project will support colleges and partners to build capacity to meet local skills priorities that were identified in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), launched by the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce in August.  Working through the consortium, colleges and partners will collaborate for maximum impact. They will develop current and new digitised training provision and curriculum for key industries.  The colleges will open specialist hubs and academies offering high level curriculum using immersive and digital technology and Artificial Intelligence.  The capital investment will include equipment and resources needed to use virtual reality, augmented reality, Artificial Intelligence and robotics to equip colleges with the means to develop relevant and in-demand skills.  The funding has been split into six key areas with investment for digital innovation in: ·       construction, ·       creative industries,  ·       health and social care,  ·       advanced manufacturing,  ·       Financial technology (Fintech), ·       the wider digital development of teaching and learning.  Each area will be led by a West Yorkshire college that will lead the innovation, host the digital hub and share experience and knowledge and develop teaching and learning across all colleges.  Project Director of the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, Joanne Patrickson said,  “This is a fantastic opportunity for the region to advance the skills needed in technology to keep up with industry changes. Not only will the funding of new equipment help to improve the learning experience in colleges, the collaboration between our partners will grow the skills and knowledge of the teaching staff who can deliver relevant training to the current and future workforce.” The West Yorkshire colleges benefiting from the funding include Leeds College of Building,  Bradford College, Calderdale College, Kirklees College, Luminate Education Group (Leeds City College and Keighley College), Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, and Shipley College. Leeds College of Building has been awarded funding for the development of new specialist hubs for digital skills within the construction industry to meet the demands in the area for diverse skilled workers. This will also include funding for mobile digital hubs across the region with AI technology and VR/AR equipment.  Nikki Davis, Principal and CEO of Leeds College of Building said:  “We are delighted to be awarded this funding to help support local people to access high quality provision, with industry leading facilities.  The focus on digital construction will provide opportunities for employers and future employees to develop vital skills.”   Over the course of the project approximately 5,000 learners will benefit from around 100 new courses, with over 7,000 learners using the new equipment purchased with LSIF capital funds. Over 700 college staff will benefit from CPD activities.  The project runs until March 2025 and is part of the Government’s drive to transform skills training so that more people can secure good jobs close to home. Read the Department for Education’s announcement press release. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Cavanna is investing in the next generation of homebuilders

Cavanna is investing in the next generation of homebuilders

Cavanna Homes is investing in training the next generation of homebuilders in the construction industry, teaching vital skills to on-site and office staff as part of the homebuilder’s commitment to nurturing talent. Under the leadership of People & Culture Manager, Sophie Aylott, who joined Cavanna Homes earlier this year, the firm is recruiting new apprentices to join its latest qualifiers. Richard Penhaligon started his IT apprenticeship in 2022 and has now qualified and is working as an IT Assistant at the homebuilder’s Torquay head office. Katie Moore and Matt Churchill are due to complete their apprenticeships in HR and Quantity Surveying later this year and both have been offered full-time positions to continue building their careers with Cavanna Homes. Sophie said: “Encouraging the next generation to consider a career in construction and nurturing talent is vital to ensuring we have the skills and people in place to ensure we can continue building high-quality, new homes into our next century. “As a regional recruiter, we’re proud to offer and support alternative routes into homebuilding to create equal opportunities for all our staff and encourage young adults to explore the opportunities available to them.” Rebecca Carruthers, who joined Cavanna Homes as a Site Operative before being promoted to Trainee Assistant Site Manager, has now completed her NHBC Level 4 Management course. She is now working at the firm’s Equinox III development in Exeter as an Assistant Site Manager. Rebecca is now using her experience to encourage other women to consider construction as a career. She said: “From the building site to the boardroom – there are so many different and exciting roles available to women within the construction and homebuilding industry. I want to help highlight these to change the common misconception that working in construction is only about being on-site. “There are so many training schemes and entry-level roles available now, so women should feel empowered and confident to apply and try their hand at a new skill. That’s exactly what I did and I haven’t looked back since.” This year’s apprentices will gain first-hand work experience and mentoring from Cavanna Homes’ skilled teams while also attending college to gain an NVQ. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Health and Safety takes centre stage for AG Safe Day initiative

Health and Safety takes centre stage for AG Safe Day initiative

AG has reinforced the importance of health and safety to its 230-strong workforce with its annual safety campaign and ‘Safe Day’ last month. The specialist building products business which has manufacturing locations in Fivemiletown, Toome , Carryduff and Pomeroy chose Health and Safety as its core employee engagement theme for October. During the campaign, the firm held its annual ‘Safe Day’, where production across each of AG’s sites was temporarily suspended to enable employees to concentrate on this serious subject. The initiative, led by CEO, Stephen Acheson and the Health, Safety and Environment team at AG, encourages staff to ‘make safety personal’ by focusing on the health and safety risks across all AG sites. The session centred around the promotion of physical safety on sites as well as mental wellbeing. A host of excellent speakers covered everything from emergency first aid, mental resilience, unlocking potential, nutrition and even some yoga! The company were also joined by a number of exhibitors where employees were offered health checks, hearing checks and advice on issues such as physical fitness, skin care and cancer prevention, The event also raised money for the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland charity. AG has a longstanding commitment to its people and to providing a safe and healthy working environment, which is core to the firm’s better, faster, safer vision. As a third-generation family-owned business AG wanted to promote the company’s strong family values within this intensive programme which included sessions on Personal Responsibility, Mental Health, Transport, Traffic Management and Pedestrian Segregation, and Isolation and Lockout of machinery and equipment. HSEQ Manager, Cathy Maguire said: “This campaign aimed to focus on the prevention of fatal accidents that are responsible for 94% of deaths in our industry. We need to ensure that all employees, contractors and visitors always leave our premises in the same healthy and safe way in which they arrived. We can only achieve this aim if we each take personal responsibility for safety.  “Whilst SafeDay was a tremendous success that has attracted a lot of very positive feedback across all our sites, our emphasis on health and safety continues all year round. Our staff are encouraged to report any hazards immediately through our ‘good catch’ programme via our Engage app. We want everyone at AG to always go home safe to their loved ones each day.”  CEO, Stephen Acheson added: “Our employee’s wellbeing is one of our core values at AG. Safety is essential and must be managed to avoid, reduce or (at the very least) control risk. It is the most crucial investment we can make. “The objective for AG’s SafeDay campaign is to help make safety personal. We want to encourage ‘good catches’ and hazard spotting as part of everyday work practice and run a range of initiatives throughout the year. We have made great progress in improving health and safety practices across the business and will continue to develop this positive culture into the future.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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The Retrofit Academy strengthens training network by opening 10th hub

The Retrofit Academy strengthens training network by opening 10th hub

The Retrofit Academy has opened its Hampshire Training Hub in partnership with workforce solutions and training specialist, SERT Training, increasing its nationwide network of training hubs to 10. As Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Homes Upgrade Grant (HUG) funding increases demand for retrofit talent, The Retrofit Academy Hampshire has been established to meet this demand by upskilling workforces and unlocking new career opportunities for individuals. The new training partnership will provide contractors and housing providers in the region with the highest quality training for Retrofit Advisors, Assessors and Coordinators required to work on upcoming programmes. The Retrofit Academy’s nationwide network of Training Hubs is licensed to provide leading retrofit courses curated by the UK’s experts in retrofit knowledge and skills. From The Retrofit Academy Hubs, contractors and social housing organisations around the country can access sector-specific qualifications ranging from levels 2-5, including: Successful delegates will be able to unlock new career paths that the SHDF and HUG have provided, helping contractors, local authorities and housing associations to address their practical retrofit skills gaps. As more organisations begin to understand the labour requirements that their projects present, they can now work with The Retrofit Academy to develop a workforce capable of delivering high-quality retrofit at scale. With hubs across the North East, Midlands, South East and South Wales, The Retrofit Academy’s licensing gives technical colleges and other further education centres the tools to deliver the leading, nationally recognised retrofit training. Licensed partners are granted access to a host of helpful resources and support, including a ‘train the trainer’ programme for two staff members, learner and tutor support from The Retrofit Academy’s expert team and full Retrofit Academy membership for 12 months. Mark Edwards, CEO of SERT Training, said: “We are thrilled to announce our exclusive partnership with Retrofit Academy to deliver their qualifications across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This milestone signifies our commitment to providing individuals with the skills needed to drive their own retrofit plans forward. “With our range of domestic clean heating and power courses, these qualifications will complement our offering perfectly. We are grateful for the support we have received from The Retrofit Academy, and we are excited to welcome the first cohort of learners onboard early November. Both our organisations share the same high standards in learner experience and content quality, so alignment has been very straightforward and a lot of fun.” David Pierpoint, Chief Executive at The Retrofit Academy added: “The launch of TRA Hampshire in partnership with SERT Training is another great step in extending the capacity for delivering retrofit at scale in the South East. Learners who train at The Retrofit Academy Hampshire will get access to the nation’s leading and most established training courses and graduate in a strong position to support with delivery of high-quality, large-scale retrofit across the UK. “Our work with training providers to create career paths for qualified retrofitters and bring graduates together with employers is important to address the practical retrofit skills gap for SHDF programmes. With 10 training partnerships established and over 5,500 learners having put their trust in us to date, we are keen to replicate this model other key UK regions to increase numbers and develop the workforce even further.” For more information on how to become a training partner with The Retrofit Academy, please visit:https://retrofitacademy.org/training-licence-partnerships/?utm_medium=feature&utm_source=pr&utm_campaign=pressoffice&utm_term=trahampshire Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Bond Bryan Architects Launch New Partnership with Bradford College

Bond Bryan Architects Launch New Partnership with Bradford College

A brand new ‘Academy’ based at the Bradford College Trinity Green Campus has launched in partnership with Sheffield-based architects, Bond Bryan. The Bond Bryan Academy will see the company’s team of highly skilled professionals serve as guest lecturers, adding vital industry knowledge and perspective to Bradford College students’ learning.  Bond Bryan will also undertake workshops, site visits, and mentorship programmes for students across various courses in the College’s Construction & Engineering Department, immersing them in the day-to-day operations of a successful architecture firm. As part of the partnership, a specially designed Bond Bryan base room has been designed and built in the heart of Trinity Green Campus. As well as serving as a purpose-built classroom to support Design, Surveying, & Planning for Construction T Level students, architects will use the facility to oversee new estate projects on site. Bond Bryan has in-depth knowledge of the education sector and curriculum requirements at Bradford College. The team has collaborated on various successful projects to date, including the design and construction of both the College’s David Hockney Building and Advanced Technology Centre. Speaking at the launch event, Bond Bryan CEO Matt Hutton said: “Our ethos is ‘more than design’ which, for us, is about doing something with our clients and communities beyond just the boundary of the projects we’re working on. “This partnership with Bradford College] is a perfect example of how to reach students and create pathways for them into vocational courses, hopefully within this brilliant industry. It’s all about trying to show them that there are opportunities out there beyond what they’ve even considered. “We have success stories in the office of people that we’ve worked with before at colleges who are now doing really good things for us. We genuinely want to give something back and as an organisation; I want to ensure we are doing things which will make a difference, rather than just box ticking.” The launch event saw Matt Hutton visit Bradford College to deliver an insightful talk to staff and students about his route into architecture and how students will benefit from the partnership going forward. Stephen Smith, Bradford College Head of Department for Construction & Engineering, said: “We’re thrilled with the exciting new partnership with Bond Bryan. This collaboration will provide valuable opportunities for students to gain real-world experience and insight into the architecture and construction industries. “Bradford College students will develop the practical skills and network needed to excel in their future careers. We are confident this relationship, with such a respected industry leader, will greatly enrich our T Level in Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction. Our students are eager to learn from Bond Bryan’s experts and we look forward to seeing the fruits of this effort. We are also proud to deepen our commitment to preparing work-ready graduates through partnerships with respected companies like Bond Bryan.” Asa Gordon, Curriculum Vice Principal, added: “Partnerships with employers like Bond Bryan are fundamental to the College delivering our mission of working together to transform lives. Giving our students the opportunity to meet with Matt and understand the career opportunities available to them following studying with the College, is essential for meeting future skills needs. “Bradford College students will benefit from the expertise of a number of industry experts, as well as gaining access to work experience through this partnership, supporting them in their journey as the future workforce needed in the Construction industry.” Bradford College offers an extensive range of courses in Construction and Engineering  for school leavers right through to degree-level and advanced professionals.  Find out more about the T Level in Design, Surveying, & Planning for Construction (enhanced by the Bond Bryan partnership) by attending the next Bradford College open day on 11th November, 10am – 3pm:   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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SkillBuild Final welcomes visitors to try their hand at construction

SkillBuild Final welcomes visitors to try their hand at construction

After more than 1,000 registrations and 17 regional heats, the top construction trainees from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been named as competitors at the SkillBuild National Final 2023. SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and showcases some of the brightest talent in construction. The prestigious competition brings together highly skilled learners and apprentices to battle it out to be crowned winner of their chosen trade. Following the regional heats, which took place this summer, the final will see the top eight highest scoring competitors from each category compete. For the first time, this year’s final will be held at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, England on 21, 22 & 23 November 2023. The arena has previously played host to the National Badminton Championships, major darts tournaments and various music concerts, and will now see 80 of the best construction trainees demonstrate their expertise. Across the three days competitors will be tasked with constructing a project designed by an expert panel of judges, within an 18-hour timeframe. The project will test the individual’s knowledge and skills, as well as their ability to work under pressure, ensuring they adhere to health and safety protocols. Members of the public are invited to attend the competition to both observe and try their hand at a range of activities at the designated careers experience hub, the Construction Showcase. Visitors can test their hand-eye coordination skills at the decorating station, build their own bird box at the woodworking station, or even get involved with virtual reality games and simulators. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to attend Continual Professional Development sessions, which will be hosted by the expert panel of judges across all 10 trade categories. CITB’s latest Construction Skills Network (CSN) report states that almost 225,000 extra workers will be required to meet UK construction demand by 2027. It also highlights that construction is expected to remain a sector where there is demand for workers, despite the current economic uncertainty. SkillBuild is a fantastic opportunity to alter common misconceptions of the industry and promote the diverse range of roles available. Mike Burdett, SkillBuild bricklaying judge, said: “The competition is a fantastic way for young people to showcase their skills and talents, it never ceases to amaze me the commitment and dedication they show to their craft. “As a judge we are looking to find the best of the best, testing their knowledge and skill levels through the test project. Every millimetre of inaccuracy costs the competitors points, but this is also set against a time pressure, making it even more challenging for them. Not only do they need to be accurate, but they also need to plan and review their work constantly to meet the demanding deadlines.” Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to be hosting this year’s SkillBuild National Final at the Marshall Arena, providing us with the opportunity to invite members of the public to observe the incredible talent coming through to industry. SkillBuild is a wonderful initiative which aims to attract a diverse range of recruits, and with the current skills gap, it places even greater importance on the competition and its ability to promote construction careers to a wider audience. “SkillBuild not only helps young people to grow personally, increasing their confidence and social skills, but it’s also proven to assist them professionally by developing their technical and employability skills. While a challenging experience, if you’re serious about a career in construction, SkillBuild is an excellent opportunity. I wish all our National Finalists the best of luck, and we look forward to seeing you in November!” CITB would like to thank all the fantastic sponsors of this year’s SkillBuild, which include: British Gypsum, Crown Paints, BAL Adhesives, NFRC, TARMAC, SPAX, Schluter, Weber, The Tile Association, Nicobond, Stabila, The Keystone Group, Forterra, tesa, Tilgear, Permavent, SR Timber, BMI Redland, Stone Restoration Services, Midland Lead, Hambleside Danelaw, NSITG, Rollins Group, Albion Stone, and Felder Group. See the full list of finalists on Go Construct, and visit the Eventbrite page to get tickets to attend SkillBuild. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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New Apprentice Cohort Joins Caddick Construction

New Apprentice Cohort Joins Caddick Construction

Caddick Construction Group is ramping up its investment in the future workforce with the recruitment of seven new apprentices and two new trainees, boosting the Group’s provision of work-based learning across the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Midlands. The new recruits include Apprentice Quantity Surveyor (QS), Isabelle Roberts, who first gained hands-on work experience at Caddick Construction Group’s Farrington Park project in Lancashire. Isabelle has now embarked on a 5-year Quantity Surveying degree with the University of Central Lancashire, attending university one day a week and spending the remaining four days with the site team at Progress Housing Group’s £23m extra care development in Lancaster. Orlando Wilson, one of Caddick’s new Construction Trainees, recently joined the business on a five-year Construction Management degree. Working across a number of Yorkshire developments, including a new £28m scheme for YARA Fertiliser, Orlando is now gaining valuable skills in various different departments at Caddick, whilst also studying for his degree at Leeds Beckett University one day a week.  Working in the Caddick Construction team alongside Isabelle and Orlando is Brandon Crowther as Apprentice Engineer, Rob Knowles as Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, George Reynolds Winstanley as Trainee Site Manager, Evie Belwood as Apprentice Quantity Surveyor and Oliver Fauguel as Apprentice Engineer. Caddick Civil Engineering has also been joined by Apprentice Site Manager, Harvey Fenton, and Trainee Quantity Surveyor, Harry Webster, who will support the business’ growing pipeline of residential and public sector contracts. The nine join Caddick Construction Group’s expanding team of work-based learners, bringing the business’ total number of apprentices and trainees to 23.  Working across the Caddick Construction Group’s key regions, the new recruits will gain first-hand experience of live construction projects in a variety of sectors, including residential, offices, manufacturing, healthcare and retail.  Of her apprenticeship, Isabelle commented: “I am a very hands-on learner so an apprenticeship is perfect for me. Studying for my degree in this way means that I can earn while I’m training and not rack up huge debt as I start my career. I’ve worked with the Caddick team before at Farington Park so I already feel part of the team. Anyone considering an apprenticeship should go for it. It’s a great route into the industry.” Orlando, who works on a number of Caddick Construction sites, added: “Becoming a trainee whilst also studying for my degree has been the perfect route into the industry for me. I’d always known I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps in construction, and initially had my eye on the planning department. This training opportunity will be great for understanding which sector best suits me because it gives me a taste for each, while I study for my Construction Management degree at Leeds Beckett University.”  Recruitment of the new wave of apprentices and trainees has been spearheaded by Caddick Construction Group Managing Director, Paul Dodsworth, who himself began his career as an apprentice bricklayer. Paul Dodsworth, Managing Director of Caddick Construction Group, commented: “I’ve always championed apprenticeships; learning on-the-job is the quickest way to master a skill or trade whilst getting paid. This is especially true for construction. I’ve had a very rewarding career since my apprenticeship and I’m eager to ensure we give young people a good start and add to the industry’s skill set for the future. “This is much more than a personal passion. Investing in skills is about the long-term strength of the Caddick business, succession planning and also our wider industry. Providing real opportunities, passing on our experience and knowledge to the next generation is the only way to future-proof the construction industry. It’s also an incredible way of bringing in fresh ideas; embracing new ways of thinking and increasing diversity, and I’m really excited to see what our new apprentices bring to the team.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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New internships will provide vital skills for those looking to pursue careers in construction

New internships will provide vital skills for those looking to pursue careers in construction

As part of its commitment to upskilling the next generation, McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), has welcomed four new interns to its construction division, helping young individuals to gain valuable experience and strengthen their skill set. Apprentice planner, Tommy Bordicott; trainee quantity surveyor, Robbie Yusuf; trainee quantity surveyor Ellie Marnell and construction apprentice, Rhys Collins joined the team this summer. Tommy will be assisting the lead planner on the Longwood Close project, in Coventry, where he will be creating programmes to support key activities throughout. He hopes to further develop his interpersonal and time management skills while building in-depth knowledge of the industry. Attracted to McLaren’s vision and values, Tommy said of his new position: “McLaren embodies both a community and a team. They are actively supporting my skill and career growth and I hope to one day be in the position where I can provide someone else with the same fantastic opportunity that they have given to me.” Trainee quantity surveyor, Robbie, will be working onsite, measuring drawings using Bluebeam (CAD), and issuing revisions alongside producing purchase orders and completing administrative duties. When asked what you are most excited about for his internship, Robbie said: “It is a real privilege to be taught by industry-leading experts who can share their knowledge and help me develop my skills.” Ellie joins the McLaren team with an eagerness to learn new skills, gain industry knowledge and support on site to see projects come to life, all of which will contribute to her achieving a future career goal of becoming a senior quantity surveyor. Ellie was initially drawn to McLaren Construction due to its strong focus on personal development and support. She said: “The company prioritises their employees’ well-being and I am fortunate to receive guidance and mentorship from experts at the forefront of the construction industry, who I greatly admire.” Construction apprentice, Rhys, will be gaining experience across multiple departments, as well as on-site, where he is looking forward to developing engineering and management skills allowing him to see projects all the way from inception to completion. Hoping to be a long-term member of the McLaren team, Rhys said: “I have been inspired by McLaren for a number of years, having been particularly interested by their Aston Martin headquarters and Leicester City training projects. I am looking forward to working hard in this new role and putting all my efforts into achieving the best I can.” McLaren’s comprehensive apprenticeship scheme is designed to provide aspiring individuals with an opportunity for growth and development. As part of the program, apprentices work closely with McLaren’s site teams, gaining invaluable exposure to the dynamic world of construction. The program provides successful applicants with a tailored development plan to guide them towards achieving their apprenticeship qualification in their chosen discipline, while being mentored and coached by McLaren’s experienced managers, ensuring they receive the guidance and support they need to thrive. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction, said:  “We’re delighted to welcome four enthusiastic interns to our company. We are passionate about supporting them with their career journeys by helping them to enhance their skills through mentorship and valuable hands-on experience in construction, preparing them for their future careers. Investing in the upskilling of the next generation will positively contribute to the bright future of our industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Housebuilder Lays the Foundation of a Career in Construction with University of Kent Students

Housebuilder Lays the Foundation of a Career in Construction with University of Kent Students

As part of the University of Kent’s annual ‘Employability Festival’ (9th – 20th October 2023), local housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes delivered a talk on ‘Building a Career in Construction’ at the Canterbury campus. The housebuilder, who is building new homes at Saxon Fields in Thanington and The Woodlands in Broad Oak, is aiming to debunk the myths surrounding the housebuilding industry and plug the shortage gap in the workforce. According to Statista, as little as 6% of young people are interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry[1]. This is largely due to the lack of knowledge surrounding the sector, and myths that construction and the wider housebuilding industry is catered for just bricklayers, carpenters and electricians. To help combat this, Ella Holt and Harry Phillips, both Land Managers at Barratt David Wilson Kent, attended the University of Kent during EmpFest23 to deliver a talk on’ Building a Career in Construction’ to a group of students. The presentation highlighted potential careers available in housebuilding, from Land and Planning, to Sales & Marketing as well as Finance, Technical, Commercial and Construction, details about their own career paths, and also information on Barratt Development’s Graduation scheme, the ASPIRE programme. Ella Holt, Land Manager at Barratt David Wilson Kent commented: “There are many avenues in the housebuilding industry and my own career showcases just that. It was a pleasure to speak to budding students from the university and showing them our own developments in Kent and how a career after university could look to them. We met with students studying a range of degrees, and it was rewarding to be able to highlight to them that their skill sets can be applicable to a real-life career in construction.” Harry Phillips, Land Manager at Barratt David Wilson Kent added: “Education is so important to us here at Barratt David Wilson Kent and we want to make sure we are playing our part in broadening young people’s horizons by showcasing the many careers available to them. We hope the students took away some valuable lessons from our presentation and we look forward to seeing any familiar faces sign up for our ASPIRE programme.” Lara Cavill, from University of Kent, concludes: “EmpFest23 welcomes a number of local companies to showcase their industries and is designed to be as engaging as possible. It was fantastic to have a local housebuilder on board and offer insight into how our students’ degrees can open a door into the construction industry. Both Harry and Ella shared insightful knowledge, tips and wisdom which I am sure has inspired many of our students into thinking about a career in construction. We hope to work with Barratt David Wilson Kent on future projects to help educate the next generation.” Barratt David Wilson Kent is currently building new homes at its The Woodlands development in Broad Oak and Saxon Fields development in Thanington, with a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes now available. Prices start at £349,995 for a three-bedroom home at The Woodlands and £314,995 for a two-bedroom home at Saxon Fields. To find out more about Barratt David Wilson Kent, visit 0333 355 8502 or visit www.barratthomes.co.uk / www.dwh.co.uk. [1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/530177/job-vacancies-uk-by-industry/#:~:text=As%20of%20January%202023%2C%20there,the%20most%20of%20any%20industry Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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