L-R Alison Seabeck MP, Ron Willers - FMB South West Regional Director, Tony Carson – TEC Construction, Matthew Vincent – Apprentice, Kieran Wheeler – Apprentice, Oliver Colville MP
Thursday 1st September 2011
A pilot scheme to help increase the number of construction apprenticeships has won the support of two Plymouth MPs.
Thanks to funding from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), and support from the Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force (CCATF), first year students from City College Plymouth have been spending their summer on work experience placements with local construction businesses. As well as the chance to gain valuable on-site experience, the placements provided students and employers with the opportunity to see how well suited they were to working with one another in the long term.
The scheme is known as Pathway to Construction. It is being piloted in Plymouth in the hope it will take off around the country and encourage more employers to seriously consider taking on an apprentice. Yesterday (Wednesday 31st August) Alison Seabeck MP and Oliver Colvile MP visited the City College Plymouth to meet some of the employers and students involved.
Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View said:
"At a time when the construction industry is struggling, especially smaller firms, it is good to see in Plymouth the pilot for Pathway to Construction. I was delighted to meet two apprentices who have been taken on by firms in the City. The Federation of Master Builders and those involved in getting this scheme up and running in Plymouth are to be congratulated. I hope other employers will take advantage of any opportunities offered where funding is being made available."
Oliver Colvile, Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport said:
“It’s very pleasing to see local businesses building close ties with City College Plymouth and the benefit this brings to students. Construction has a major role to play in the transition to a green economy so it is essential the industry has people with the right skills for the job, which is why schemes like Pathway to Construction are so valuable. I hope the rest of the country will use Plymouth as an example.”
Ron Willers, FMB South West Director said:
“The FMB knows that the initial cost of employing an apprentice can put businesses off, but businesses can really benefit from the opportunity to test a young person’s suitability for an apprenticeship. The FMB provided funding to help employers cover the costs of the Pathway to Construction placements and we are really pleased to see our members so enthusiastic about training the next generation. The current economic situation has made it extremely difficult for small construction firms to grow their businesses, but Pathway to Construction shows how much is possible when different groups from a local area all pull together.”
Adrian Heath, Head of Construction at City College Plymouth, said:
"We are incredibly grateful to the Pathway to Construction scheme for involving College students in community based activity - which gives our students a real sense of belonging and achievement. For students to work alongside industry professionals and gain real hands-on practical experience can only benefit the construction industry and the students themselves. The College has been undergoing major refurbishment during the summer and we are very excited about the enhanced facilities that will further benefit students and local employers."
