The construction industry is facing a major skills shortage, with recent figures revealing that since 1990 there has been a 40% drop in the number of under 24s joining the industry. With an ageing workforce, 17% of whom are due to retire within the next 10 years*, there are currently too few young people joining the industry to fill the gap. National Apprenticeship Week taking place from 6th to 10th February 2012, aims to raise the profile of the value of apprentices to employers.
Local housebuilder Crest Nicholson is committed to encouraging young people to consider entering the construction sector and provides apprenticeships that offer recruits the chance to learn practical on the job skills and equip themselves for a future career in the construction industry.
Joshua Jones, 21, has been employed as an apprentice carpenter at Crest Nicholson South West‘s Port Marine development in Portishead. Kaine Southey, 18, has been employed as an apprentice in tiling at the same development.
Joshua comments: “I chose a career in carpentry because I’d really enjoyed woodwork at school. I was really pleased to get an apprenticeship with Crest Nicholson and love being able to put the skills I’ve learned at college into practice. Working for such a big company means I get lots of opportunities to learn new skills that I wouldn’t get to experience just through going to college and my site manager is really good at making sure I get to try my hand at a wide range of jobs. I’d loved to secure a full-time job in carpentry once I’ve got my qualifications and I think this apprenticeship puts me in the best position possible. My ultimate goal is to go into property development with my friends who’ve all learned different trades.”
Kaine comments: “I chose to go into tiling because I didn’t really enjoy studying at school and thought a hand-on career would be better suited to me. I have enjoyed my time at Crest Nicholson working alongside different tradesmen and learning different skills from them. I definitely would recommend an apprenticeship with a company like Crest Nicholson as they teach you the skills required to become a quality tradesman. I am looking forward to the rest of my apprenticeship and my future in the construction industry. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Crest Nicholson for the brilliant start to my working life.”
Stephen Stone, Chief Executive of Crest Nicholson, comments: “It is essential for the future growth of the construction sector and to address the potential skills shortage we are facing in coming years that we attract more young people to work in the industry. At Crest Nicholson we have a robust Apprenticeships training programme in place in order to equip young people with the skills they need to forge a successful, lifelong career in the building and construction industry. As Joshua and Kaine testify, an apprenticeship is an invaluable means to getting on the job practical training that equips young people with the skills they need to set themselves up for the future and ensures that specialist skills continue to be passed on.”