Two members of the National Federation of Builders (NFB) based in the Midlands have recruited new apprentices to develop a successful career within the industry and help to tackle the skills crisis.
Deeley Construction, based in Coventry, has renewed its commitment to train the next generation of talent in construction. The company has recently taken on three new apprentices to add to its continuing growth.
Charlie Stevens and Matt Byrne are both management trainees, while Katie May Cashmore is a trainee accounts assistant with Deeley Construction. They are each studying for their degrees and diplomas respectively at Birmingham City University, Coventry College and South and City College, Birmingham.
The three young recruits are just the most recent in a long-held tradition at Deeley Construction of growing its own workforce, with almost 20% of its staff coming through the firm as an apprentice. Martin Gallagher, managing director of Deeley, said: “The skills shortage in construction is one of the biggest issues facing our industry. Here at Deeley Construction, we have always seen apprenticeships as a great route to growing our own future workforce.”
Jonathan-Griffiths-from-Washwood-Heath-Academy Zaidan Khan and Roland OConnor from CTC
Colmore Tang Construction (CTC), the fast-growing Birmingham-based contractor, has also hired its first degree apprentice after the completion of an innovative mentoring programme to link schools and employers.
After completing a 12-month mentorship with CTC, 17 year old A-level student Zaidan Khan was offered the post as part of the Career Ready scheme, which supports teenagers in schools and colleges. As well as having regular monthly meetings with Roland, the Washwood Heath Academy student completed a four-week internship with CTC’s commercial department.
The NFB believes in supporting businesses that invest in the future by training apprentices. Given that construction SMEs trains two-thirds of all industry apprentices, they are in a unique position to make a difference. Working within a 15-mile radius of their head office, SMEs possess a unique and better understanding of what their local communities need. For every £1 invested with an SME, 90p remains locally to hire local skilled workers, train local young apprentices, and grow the local economy.
The NFB constantly highlights the importance of tackling the skills crisis, having repeatedly called on the Government to help address it in a way that benefits every region of the UK.. Increasing funding for training to SMEs would do much to ensure that skills shortages are tackled effectively at a local level.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of NFB, said: “Construction provides a stable and rewarding career and these new signings demonstrate the varied careers available in our industry. With current work demand at high levels in the Midlands, the industry needs to attract new workers and it’s great that NFB members are doing their bit in the region.”
