Fareham College had a visit from the Managing Director of a Hampshire housebuilder this week to help accelerate next generation learning programmes for future construction workers. James Dunne, Manager Director of Barratt Homes Southampton Division, attended Fareham College’s Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) and toured its state-of-the-art facilities, set up in 2017 to address the skills shortage hindering civil engineering growth and expansion in the south of England. Its high-profile apprenticeship programme has been supporting the industry ever since, by creating more jobs and opportunities for skilled groundworkers in the region. James was shown around CETC’s purpose-built two-acre mock construction site, dedicated to the delivery of its specialist Civil Engineering and Groundworks Apprenticeship, and looked around neighbouring classroom areas, where relevant theory is taught to support the students’ practical training. Barratt Homes is committed to providing career prospects for young people in the local area, and the MD was keen to see how the developer could widen its support for budding construction workers in the region, in collaboration with CETC. James said: “At Barratt, we want to provide young people with an alternative to full-time university study by helping them to explore their potential in the building industry. “We already offer apprenticeship schemes to the next generation of tradespeople but are looking to expand this support. CETC is offering an incredible facility here in Fareham, and I’m thrilled to have been offered the chance to look around today. Hopefully we can discover a way we can work together in the future.” Director of CETC, David Richardson, said: “CETC was set up to tackle the skills shortage in the civil engineering and construction industry, and to nurture the talent of our young people in the area. “It has been a real pleasure to show James from Barratt around today, and it would be fantastic if we can work alongside the developer in providing these important apprenticeship schemes to the local community.” CETC was created after a group of local civil engineering employers set up the Solent Civil Engineering Employer Group (SCEEG) in conjunction with Fareham College to produce a unique apprenticeship training programme to support the construction industry across the region and create more jobs and opportunities for skilled groundworkers. Barratt Homes works in tandem with the communities where it is building new homes, to offer career opportunities for young people. For more information on the housebuilder’s new developments in Hampshire, visit: Harbour Place and Pebble Walk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Pre-teens and young teenagers are being inspired to investigate careers in the construction industry, thanks to the passion of some of the team at insulation specialist Actis. The latest event which gave students insight into professional opportunities within the sector was at a Bedfordshire middle school, which invited South East area sales director Steven Ellis to share his love of thermal efficiency with a rapt crowd of youngsters. Steven was one of a number of professionals, including representatives from the police, fire brigade and an architectural practice, talking to the youngsters at a ‘Careers Carousel’ at Marston Vale Middle School. Associate assistant head teacher at the school, Emma Ramsay, said the day was inspirational for the ten to 13-year-olds. “Steven set up a very visual stand for our pupils which really helped to attract them. Pupil engagement from years five to eight was high, with both male and female pupils being really engaged. Steven was personable and enthusiastic about Actis and his industry. Many pupils came away discussing what insulation is, why it is important and what sort of jobs are available within the sector. These career rich discussions were brilliant to hear!” She said they particularly enjoyed a competition to see who could make the tallest tower of Actis Hybris samples – with the winner managing 12! Steven added: “I was predominantly talking about careers In construction and manufacturer and what my typical day to day and week would entail, such as visiting builders on site, offering specifications and liaising with our direct customers.” Other members of the Actis team have been involved in recent years with educational activities aimed at encouraging young people to consider working in the industry. Actis northern regional sales director and Women in Construction ambassador Jemma Harris has spoken to students at a Construction Industry Training Board careers event and a school in Yorkshire, with the aim of inspiring young women to reject stereotypes and follow their dreams of a career in a male-dominated profession. South-West area sales manager Tom Hendzel has helped out with lectures to construction trainees at Cornwall’s Truro and Penwith College. Another team member flying the flag for women in construction is specification manager Amaret Chahal who has co-written the latest Actis CPD material. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Construction workers across South London are highlighting the benefits of becoming an apprentice in a bid to increase numbers.  More construction apprentices are needed across the region as figures reveal thousands of workers will need to be hired to help ensure some of the city’s biggest projects are completed on time.  A collection of apprentices, former apprentices and tutors from colleges and businesses across South London have joined forces to shine a light on the benefits of having a career in construction. One of those is assistant site manager Jannai Mason-Dennis who is working on a site in Kensington, creating a luxury multi-million-pound property with contractor Walter Lilly. The campaign includes two virtual information events, which are taking place later this month – see further below for details.  Jannai, 24, has finished his apprenticeship and said it’s fantastic to see others around him following in his footsteps.  “Before my apprenticeship, I worked as an unskilled labourer on the Battersea Power Station Project,” he said. “I knew I liked the industry, and being a labourer you not only see everything that happens on site but you get to chat with tradespeople about their work. Doing an apprenticeship was recommended to me by another labourer.  “Since starting my apprenticeship family and friends have seen what a positive impact it’s had on me and a few of them have also decided to do an apprenticeship in construction.”  Jannai said there are a number of benefits to doing an apprenticeship and he feels it has set him on the right path to a good career in construction. “An apprenticeship is a way to earn while you learn,” he said. “I was keen to increase my skillset in construction but wanted to do it while earning money and my apprenticeship ticked all the boxes.  “I completed a site management apprenticeship and achieved an NVQ Level 3 then moved on to an NVQ Level 6. I was on site most days with one day a week at college, which suited me because I’m definitely a hands-on learner. Besides the day-to-day running of the construction site I also learnt a range of other important skills, such as communication. My apprenticeship definitely made me a better speaker and taught me to work with people from all walks of life.  “I’d encourage anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship to go to their college and have a chat with the tutors. It’s a great career to have and in ten years’ time I’d like to be a senior site manager or site operations manager. My main aim is the work up the career ladder in construction.”  Jannai is working with the South London Partnership (SLP) in a bid to encourage more people to become construction apprentices – and also to attract construction tutors. The SLP is a sub-regional collaboration of five London boroughs: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton.  Supported by the Mayor of London, the campaign comes after research revealed a shortage of workers in the construction industry. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) recently released its annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) report which shows that Greater London needs 22,800 extra workers by 2027 – that means an annual recruitment boost of 4,560.  The campaign is seeing councils, colleges and businesses in South London working together to find the construction apprentices and tutors needed across the industry.  The virtual events include one for anyone wanting information on becoming a tutor on March 27 at 5pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/become-a-tutor-in-construction-find-out-more-tickets-576344861997 and one for apprentices on March 30 at 4.30pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apprenticeships-in-construction-find-out-more-tickets-576195144187  For more information email csl@southlondonpartnership.co.uk or visit http://southlondonpartnership.co.uk/skills/mayors-construction-academy-hub/  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Young people in schools and colleges across South London are being encouraged to consider an apprenticeship in a bid to help fill the shortage in the construction industry.  An initiative has been launched to find more construction apprentices who can help ensure building projects across the city are completed on time. The campaign includes two virtual information events, which are taking place later this month.  Former apprentice Matt Alder is now a Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Services Manager working with Walter Lilly on a number of their sites across the city. He said that getting work experience before applying for his apprenticeship gave him a clear idea of the career he wanted.  “When I was at school I knew a few other people that went into construction and it seemed like a good career for me,” said Matt. “I did work experience for a week during the last week of school with an electrical company where I ended up doing my apprenticeship. I decided that getting out and learning on the job was a better way forward for me.”  Matt studied for an electrical NVQ which included a mixture of on-site learning as well as going to college. “As the apprentice went on it became more site-based with less time in college,” he said. “As well as learning a range of electrical skills I also saw an increase in my ability to communicate and talk to different people at various senior levels. As my apprenticeship progressed I became more responsible and thought about my career and the future I wanted for myself.   “I manage the installation of services on more than one project, and that can include being on-site or sat in a meeting room looking at the drawings and coordinating everything that goes into a job. Anyone thinking of becoming an apprentice should just go for it – you gain the skills you need to do the job, you get paid while you learn and it’s a job for life.”  The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) released its annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) report which shows that Greater London needs 22,800 extra workers by 2027 – that means an annual recruitment boost of 4,560.  The initiative by South London Partnership (SLP) is supported by the Mayor of London and highlights the shortage of workers on building sites across the city.  The South London Partnership is a sub-regional collaboration of five London boroughs: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton. Apprenticeships are available in hundreds of careers including 3D Visualiser, Gas Service Installer, Building Technician and Glazier.  Tutors from a range of backgrounds are also needed to help apprentices achieve the qualifications they need to progress in the construction industry. They will be responsible for providing the support needed for apprentices to develop their technical skills as well as professional attributes such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork abilities.   The virtual events include one for anyone wanting information on becoming a tutor on March 27 at 5pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/become-a-tutor-in-construction-find-out-more-tickets-576344861997 and one for apprentices on March 30 at 4.30pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apprenticeships-in-construction-find-out-more-tickets-576195144187 For more information email csl@southlondonpartnership.co.uk or visit http://southlondonpartnership.co.uk/skills/mayors-construction-academy-hub/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Young people from a wide range of backgrounds in South London are being encouraged to become construction apprentices in a bid to fill the vacancies at sites across the city.  Thousands of roles need to be filled at building sites across London as research shows more than 4,000 jobs will need to be filled every year for construction projects to be completed on time.  A campaign has been launched in a bid to meet these ambitious targets by highlighting the wide range of jobs that are available to apprentices in construction. The campaign includes two virtual information events, which are taking place later this month.  The South London Partnership (SLP) campaign is seeing councils, colleges and businesses in South London working together to find the construction apprentices and tutors needed across the industry.  Shane Routledge-McDonald, 21, an apprentice site manager with the Berkeley Group working on the creation of 926 apartments at the iconic Prince of Wales Drive development in Battersea, said: “After school I wanted to be able to find a way to expand my education while learning something new, and an apprenticeship ticked all those boxes.  “Ever since I’ve been young I’ve had a keen eye for detail and I liked making floor plans for my parents. When I looked into construction, site management suited me and what I wanted to do for a career.”  Shane is studying at Farnborough College of Technology to learn the skills needed to create the Prince of Wales Drive development, which includes resident facilities such as a swimming pool, bar, karaoke room and cinema. Following up on why apprenticeships are a good route into employment, he explained:  “I’d encourage anyone to become an apprentice because you get paid and you can actually see the job getting done rather than being in a room and someone just talking to you about the subject. You also gain skills a lot faster, and looking to the future, I want to complete this apprenticeship and my NVQ and then work up the ranks to become a project director.  “When I wake up in the morning it always puts a smile on my face knowing that I’m not only doing a job I love, but I’m also making my family proud as well.”  Supported by the Mayor of London, the SLP initiative comes after research revealed that more apprentices and tutors are needed across the city.  The South London Partnership is a sub-regional collaboration of five London boroughs: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton. Apprenticeships are available in hundreds of careers including as a 3D Visualiser, Gas Service Installer, Building Technician or a Glazier.  The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) recently released its annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) report which shows that Greater London needs 22,800 extra workers by 2027 – that means an annual recruitment boost of 4,560 must happen.  Tutors from a range of backgrounds are also needed to help apprentices achieve the qualifications they need to progress in the construction industry. They will be responsible for providing the support needed for apprentices to develop their technical skills – as well as professional attributes such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork abilities.  The virtual events include one for anyone wanting information on becoming a tutor on March 27 at 5pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/become-a-tutor-in-construction-find-out-more-tickets-576344861997 and one for apprentices on March 30 at 4.30pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apprenticeships-in-construction-find-out-more-tickets-576195144187  For more information email csl@southlondonpartnership.co.uk or visit http://southlondonpartnership.co.uk/skills/mayors-construction-academy-hub/  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals