As part of National Apprenticeship Week (7 - 11 February 2011), CITB-ConstructionSkills and local employer England Carpentry has invited Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon, and Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon, to visit a live construction project at a Barratt Homes development in Swindon to experience life as an apprentice for the day.
The aim of National Apprenticeship Week is to highlight the talents and skills of apprentices and encourage young people and employers to think about how an apprenticeship could benefit them. Whilst onsite Robert Buckland MP and Justin Tomlinson MP tried their hands at a range of activities including roofing, using modern ‘green’ technologies and practices, as well as hearing first-hand from an apprentice on the project his experiences of training in carpentry and joinery.
Justin Tomlinson MP (North Swindon) said: “I know from running a small business myself that apprentices can play a really important role in the workplace. I am delighted that the government is creating so many new apprentice positions and it’s great that CITB-ConstructionSkills is supporting this initiative.”
Robert Buckland MP (South Swindon) said: “Today’s event is a great way to round off National Apprenticeship Week. I’m delighted to have been involved in promoting apprenticeship schemes, which are especially important in giving young people an opportunity to enter the jobs market in these challenging times.”
Roger Stone, Sector Strategy Manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills in the South West said: “We were delighted to welcome Robert and Justin onsite today, as they were able to see how important developing future skills and up-skilling the industry is, if we are to take advantage of new technologies and growth opportunities. Training and skills development needs to start with apprentices, as the lifeblood of the construction industry and it is vital that employers continue to support apprentices. Taking on an apprentice and ensuring that training stays at the top of the agenda are key ways that businesses can contribute both towards the success of their business and towards the future of the industry.”
Neil Clutterbuck and Lee England of England Carpentry said: “Working together with National house builders, such as Barratt Homes, we are all realising how important the training of apprentices is to the future of our industry. In partnership with house builders, England Carpentry has mentored many young people through their carpentry apprenticeships.
“It is very rewarding seeing these young trainees develop into confident tradespeople and becoming an asset to our industry. We are constantly impressed by the enthusiasm and talent of the young people we work with who are always well supported by the CITB-ConstructionSkills team.”
The visit was at Barratt’s newly launched D2 development in Swindon where construction manager Bob Haycock said apprentices would play an integral role in the construction of this new city centre development.
“As a company, Barratt is committed to providing opportunities for as many people as possible and we are thrilled that apprentices gain the experience they need either working directly for Barratt or for our valued suppliers.’’
CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board, is supporting National Apprenticeship Week as part of its Positive Image campaign, and has organised a range of employer based apprenticeship events across the UK. The events are aimed at highlighting to employers the significant benefits of setting up an apprenticeship scheme and taking on apprentices, as well as providing them with opportunity to engage with some high calibre potential apprentice applicants.
Apprenticeship Week, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), highlights the skills apprentices can develop, the career opportunities available and brings together apprentices, employers, providers and all those involved with Apprenticeship programmes.
If you are interested in finding out further information about CITB-ConstructionSkills Apprenticeship Week events or about how to set up an apprenticeship scheme and take on an apprentice please visit www.cskills.org/apprenticeships
Justin Tomlinson MP with Colin Mawer & Andrew Panczak,
local residents who have benefited from the scheme.
Justin Tomlinson MP, Robert Buckland MP & Roger Stone CITB
Justin Tomlinson MP Let Loose!