A Nottinghamshire apprentice who battles a six hour journey to complete his apprenticeship training, part-based in Newcastle, has spoken about his career transformation after enrolling on the course. 21-year-old Riordan ‘Rio’ Keetley is currently undertaking a Level 2 Bricklaying apprenticeship at the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Training Hub in Scotswood, Newcastle. Rio travels the 161 miles for his training block weeks to the Training Hub by train from his home in Nottingham to pursue his career and achieve a nationally recognised qualification. Before starting his apprenticeship in March last year, Rio worked a number of jobs, including being a waiter, a hospital cleaner and a CCTV operator but he was left feeling unsettled about his future. Rio chose the apprenticeship route over traditional college or university education because he wanted to learn a practical skill that would serve him for life. He explains: “Construction has always interested me but I struggled to find an apprenticeship initially. I finished school during lockdown and the restrictions meant opportunities were limited.  “I took on various jobs in the meantime, becoming a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. Then, a family member told me about apprenticeship opportunities at Keepmoat, and I knew this was the chance I had been waiting for. “The apprentice programme with a reputable house builder such as Keepmoat was exactly what I needed. It’s really rewarding to learn a valuable skill, help the community, and know I’m building a great future for myself. The travel is a small price to pay for such an amazing opportunity. I’m excited to see where this career takes me.” Rio’s apprenticeship includes tailored and immersive training at the NHBC Training Hub, covering both theory and practical skills before working on site. Rio is developing his skills at Park View, a Keepmoat development in Gedling, Nottinghamshire which will deliver 400 homes. He adds: “I enjoy the physical nature of the job and knowing that what I’m doing is making a difference. It’s satisfying to watch the hard work pay off and use my NHBC industry leading training to see something built the right way by a hard working team. My apprenticeship has given me confidence, independence, and a clear path forward. I’m proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished so far.” Geoff Scott, Social Value Manager at Keepmoat, comments: “The team is extremely pleased with Riordan’s progression throughout his apprenticeship. He’s a great team player, who is both dedicated and hard working. Our apprenticeship schemes are a testament to Keepmoat’s commitment to delivering key skilled workers into the talent pipeline in the face of a skills shortage. “It is a privilege to see our apprentices thrive in their roles and become part of the next generation of much-needed bricklayers and we look forward to seeing them progress and succeed in the industry.’’ Roger Morton, Director of NHBC’s apprentice training programme and hubs, said; “It’s fantastic to see how Riordan is thriving at the NHBC Training Hub in Newcastle. Our hubs are not only creating a local supply of talent for the house-building industry but also making a significant positive impact on the lives of apprentices. “Bricklaying is at the heart of house building and is a vital skill. Through our existing training hubs and our £100 million investment in a national network of 12 new multi-skill hubs, NHBC is committed to supporting the next generation of housebuilders. Our industry-leading, recognised training equips apprentices like Riordan with the skills he needs to deliver high-quality new homes. “By immersing apprentices in real site conditions from day one, we fully prepare them for life on site. Quality drives everything we do and our tailored approach is enabling Riordan and other apprentices to qualify in just 14 to 18 months, with many achieving distinctions. That’s nearly twice as fast as traditional education routes, which can take up to 30 months.” Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 70 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. For more information, please visit www.keepmoat.com.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

STANDFIRST / PfP Thrive is a new initiative from Places for People, the UK’s largest social enterprise. Drawing on its extensive insight into the UK housing sector, Places for People has identified skill gaps in key trades and developed a range of training programmes to address them. These programmes aim to futureproof the industry by equipping individuals with new skill sets while creating employment opportunities for local communities. PfP Thrive provides the essential, in-demand skills of today that will help shape successful futures tomorrow. Its offerings include apprenticeships, technical and future skills programmes, organisational development, and housing qualifications. Among Places for People most recent apprentice cohorts is Samantha Turner, who, after a decade in hospitality, was eager to make a career change. Today, Samantha is on the verge of completing her apprenticeship with PfP Thrive, with her End Point Assessment fast approaching. In this article, she reflects on her experiences over the past two years and explains why she would wholeheartedly recommend the programme to others. “It was the best feeling in the world!” I’m very lucky to be where I am today and getting my job with PfP really was the best feeling in the world!  I’m in a very different place than when I started. I spent the last ten years working in hospitality – a sector that honestly wasn’t for me! I was itching for change, so when I saw the PfP advert I decided to take the plunge.  I knew straight away that an apprenticeship would be perfect; I’ve always been very hands-on. I love painting, decorating, mending things, and fixing things and have always been drawn to that over a more academic path.  I began the apprenticeship in 2022, at 30 years old, and I think I was one of the oldest to do it, but I’ve felt so welcome. It’s a reminder that apprenticeships are for everyone, not just those leaving school. Mentored by the Best My journey so far has been great. It began with a week of online learning, covering health and safety and standard procedures. Then came the practical elements, for which I was lucky to be paired with Dave Ure, an incredibly well-established joiner who’s given me the best experience I could wish for. Dave’s worked in the industry for years and knows everything there is to know about joinery – teaching me pretty much everything I know today.  As a responsive worker, his department focuses on tenant homes, so I quickly got used to interacting with customers, which has been a valuable experience. Dave is methodical and hardworking, and I’ve adopted this approach in my own work. I’ve always been proactive and taken pride in what I do, but when it’s something you love, it feels amazing. I think having the contrast of ten years of work I didn’t enjoy makes me grateful every day that I’m doing what I love.  Places for People is a fantastic company to work with, and the apprenticeship is a brilliant opportunity to learn with a supportive and efficient team. Throughout the programme, I had three monthly check-ins with Brittney from the Skills Academy, and monthly ‘Toolbox Talks’ with my line manager Derek, along with the freedom to speak to him whenever I needed. You’re well looked after here. A Day in the Life What’s so great about this job is the variety of work. It covers such a broad range of skills. One day I could be painting, the next I might be replacing floors or hanging doors. My absolute favourite task is fitting kitchens and transforming a blank canvas into something amazing makes me feel incredibly proud. You can see the progress with every fixture, and I absolutely love it. After a few months with Dave, I moved to the Voids department to work with Barry Horne, who’s also been a brilliant mentor. He’s taught me a lot about plumbing and shared so much knowledge with me and really helped me get to where I am today.  Voids is slightly different because the homes are empty, so we sometimes spend a bit more time doing multiple jobs at once. It’s less pressured than working in homes with customers, which allowed me to get more hands-on. Both experiences have been fantastic and have given me the skills to work in either department. As time went on, I was able to take on more responsibility, even completing jobs with another apprentice on our own. This really boosted my confidence, although it was a bit daunting at times! These experiences remind me how capable I am and that this is what I want to continue doing in the future. A Bright Future I’ll soon take my End Point Assessment, so my focus is on that right now. I’m not sure what will come after, but I’d love to continue working here as a joiner or take a Level 3 qualification in advanced joinery. I’m open to where the journey takes me, but I know I’m on the right track, doing what I love every day and learning all the time. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this apprenticeship to anyone interested in joinery. It’s a fantastic platform to learn everything you need to know and hopefully start a fulfilling career. There’s also a new apprenticeship that covers both joinery and carpentry, so there are plenty of options for anyone keen to work in the industry. For anyone looking to create apprenticeships for people who want to pursue a career in joinery, PfP Thrive offers a range of packages to support businesses in bringing new talent into the sector. Find out more here: https://www.placesforpeople.co.uk/pfp-thrive/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Five quantity surveying students at Birmingham City University (BCU) will take their careers to new heights thanks to the award-winning company building Birmingham’s tallest skyscraper.  Court Collaboration, which is constructing the 155-metre tall One Eastside on James Watt Queensway, will advise and guide the quintet to help prepare them for the workplace.  “We’re extremely proud to be launching this student mentoring initiative as part of our ongoing partnership with BCU,” said Court Collaboration CEO Alex Neale.  “It’s an honour to help nurture some of the next generation of professionals in this way.”  The students are undertaking final-year dissertations that closely align with critical issues in the construction and housing sectors.  These include the UK housing crisis, off-site manufacturing, cost assurance in construction, regulatory compliance, and contract management in social housing refurbishment.    “We’ve been inspired by the group’s knowledge and passion, so we’re very much looking forward to supporting them on their journey,” added Neale, a BCU graduate himself.  “These young minds will not only benefit Court Collaboration developments but will also go on to innovate and push boundaries across the entire industry, both regionally and beyond.”  Against a fitting backdrop of the Birmingham skyline, the students recently visited Court Collaboration’s offices in the city centre to present their research scope.   They were then matched with mentors who will provide insights and access to data, facilitate interviews, and guide them in shaping their dissertations to address real-world challenges.   “This collaboration develops mutual learning,” said Dr Saeed Talebi, Associate Professor in BCU’s College of Built Environment.  “Court Collaboration will gain impactful knowledge they can potentially utilise to create actionable solutions, while mentors gain fresh perspectives from the students’ research.  “While our students will develop crucial problem-solving skills – finding innovative ways to address complex, practical problems – that will prepare them for future professional roles.”  Student Ria Curtis will focus her project on social housing repairs and maintenance.  “Working on a business brief will allow me to deepen my understanding of real-world challenges and develop my experience in the workplace,” she said.  “The combination of academic learning and practical application on my course is equipping me with the tools I need to take on greater responsibilities. I’m gaining the critical leadership and strategic thinking skills for my aspirations to become a Chartered Surveyor.”  This latest initiative builds on the work that BCU and Court Collaboration have already been doing together on the One Eastside project, which is due for completion in 2026.  They joined forces to create a virtual 3D model or ‘digital twin’ of the skyscraper that will use artificial intelligence to analyse data from air quality and energy consumption sensors to keep residents of the 667 apartments safe and healthy.    This aligns with the three core pillars of BCU’s newly launched 2030 Strategy:  Professor Nick Morton, BCU Associate Dean for the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment, said: “BCU has made a strategic commitment to ‘Develop the Talent for Tomorrow’ in its new institutional strategy.   “Our partnership with Court Collaboration enables Built Environment students to work directly with industry at the cutting edge of knowledge and innovation. It also provides the best possible opportunity to nurture that talent for the future.”  Read more about the One Eastside research project.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Yorkshire-based business donates 20,000 bricks to students at Leeds College of Building Yorkshire-based manufacturer ACS Stainless Steel Fixings is committed to supporting educational institutions, helping the next generation of construction and manufacturing professionals to reach their full potential. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment, ACS recently donated 20,000 bricks to Leeds College of Building – providing essential materials for students to practice their skills and enhance their hands-on learning experience. ACS currently has 11 apprentices within its team – including six from Leeds Building College – and plan to welcome more early this year as the company recognises the important role apprentices play in not only shaping the business, but the future of the sector at large. Speaking of the donation, Kate Robertson-Hart, Head of Marketing at ACS shared: “ACS is a forward-thinking company with a strong apprentice element to our team. The drive and ambition our young engineers bring with them is inspiring and we’re keen to support students in education as they begin their journey into the industry.” Harvey Knowles, Apprentice Technical Engineer at ACS, joined the team from Leeds Building College and shared: “The donation of 20,000 bricks will be invaluable to the students studying this year and I hope to see some of them come through the apprenticeship scheme here. “ACS is full of great people, and I’ve settled in well making some strong friendships too. The best thing is that ACS makes sure you get to experience all areas of the business, so I’ve really been able to understand the intricacies of how it all works – this is such a valuable experience and has really helped me to upgrade my knowledge. The strong link between ACS and Leeds Building College is brilliant.” ACS is also dedicated to supporting the future of the industry and its longstanding industry colleagues with its CPD courses – with many fully certified. The courses have been created inhouse and empower those starting off in the industry right through to seasoned professionals keen to enhance their knowledge and skills across a variety of construction-based topics to ensure they stay up to date with the latest product developments and learn about the latest regulatory requirements. Damien Mason-Harding, Curriculum Manager of Brickwork & Roofing, at Leeds Building College, concluded: “The ongoing support we receive from ACS is phenomenal and we can’t thank the team enough for their recent donation of the 20,000 bricks – not only were our students impressed with the size of the delivery, but the bricks are making a huge difference to their day-to-day learning. Partnerships with forward-thinking suppliers like ACS helps to futureproof the building industry and we’re thankful of our longstanding relationship with the team there.” ACS is a leading manufacturer and designer of structural building components, including but not exclusive to wall ties, windposts, masonry support and brick slip systems – all essential components used for the construction of modern-day structures, large or small. The 117-strong team operate from a factory in Yorkshire. Find out more about ACS here www.acsstainless.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Retrofit skills lagging, say industry body A new study from the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) has found that retrofit training gaps are stalling Net-Zero progress in UK construction. The research surveyed 500 construction professionals and revealed that there is a low sector-wide understanding of retrofit technologies and approaches, creating a potential bottleneck in the UK’s plans to decarbonise. Four in ten professionals stated that the level of training available to them was insufficient and that industry knowledge and understanding of retrofit techniques are currently ‘lacking’. However, many professionals see retrofitting existing buildings as a more effective path to reducing carbon emissions compared to constructing new. Nearly two in three (62%) believe retrofit projects provide greater benefits for achieving net zero than new-build homes. Another area of the study examined how professionals measure the impact of applied retrofit measures. Just two in five professionals (43%) measure building performance after envelope changes, highlighting a concerning ‘do-it-and-dash’ trend that skips energy, carbon, and comfort evaluation. An approach that can lead to suboptimal results. These findings come at an important time for the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Back in July, the Climate Change Committee warned that the UK could be at risk of missing Net-Zero targets. In early November, ministers also put £30 million more into a grant scheme to encourage the uptake of heat pumps. The research also revealed surprising doubts about the value of large-scale retrofit measures, with one in four professionals unconvinced of their long-term effectiveness over the next 20 years. This was particularly true for sole traders and those in the repair sector – just half (55% and 56%, respectively) thought retrofit measures were worth the investment. This could suggest a need for more advanced training on the performance benefits of retrofit technologies. The study also flagged an interesting area of debate – what constitutes ‘comfort’ within Net-Zero spaces. Professionals remain divided – two in five identified it as air quality and ventilation, while just over half (52%) said thermal comfort was the most important factor. Natural lighting closely followed (50%) and then acoustic comfort (40%). In context, these stats show variations in which retrofit measures take precedence. It also highlights a growing need in the industry to define a standardised approach to retrofit assessments, such as the new BS 40104 standard. Tom Garrigan, Technical Director at BSRIA said: “The results of this study show a snapshot of the industry’s approach to retrofitting. There’s a clear need for detailed pre- and post-retrofit assessments. Understanding a building’s condition, possible defects, and energy performance is an essential step but one that appears to be lacking. Without high-quality testing, building owners will never know the true value of retrofit investments.” Lisa Ashworth, CEO at BSRIA said: “Retrofitting 29 million homes by 2050 is an ambitious goal for the UK. To achieve it, we must upskill the construction workforce on the value of retrofitting and the need for a meticulous approach to every property. As the saying goes, ‘you can’t test what you don’t measure’—a mindset the entire industry must embrace.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals