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Seddon?s Roy is building a future for the kids
It?s a modern-day dilemma. While the construction industry bemoans a dire lack of skilled labour, kids on construction courses can?t get work experience necessary to complete their qualifications.
As a result, many youngsters have turned their backs on their chosen professions, despite a year?s intensive study. The recession hasn?t helped with big construction companies cutting back on labour.
But it took a man with a vision and know-how to set the course straight. Roy Cavanagh, training manager at G&J Seddon, Bolton, gleaned invaluable insider knowledge of the problem whilst sitting on national training bodies. A Salford man, born and bred, with a passion for his home city and the people within it, he set about researching a pioneering scheme that would help the industry and youngsters keen to enter construction professions.
Backed by Salford City Council and Salford College, the Construction Shared Apprenticeship Scheme has allowed 12 apprentices to be employed by building company, B4Box whilst receiving on-site training from partner organisations. G & J Seddon, Freemont R & R, Bovis Lendlease, Cruden Group, Laing O?Rourke, B & J Decorators and Bramalls are lending their support by allowing the apprentices to complete placements, for a wage of ?100 per week, on some of the most important construction sites in the North West, such as MediaCityUK, Salford Royal Hospital and the Building Schools for the Future program.
Says Roy, 62, a father and grandfather: ?These kids receive EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) of ?30 a week and they have to prove themselves to be conscientious, hard-working students in order to receive it. So, they have already been hand-picked as suitable for the industry. So giving them ?100 is a bonus. Obviously it?s not a huge wage, but at the end of 12 months they will have gained enough experience to get their NVQ2 qualification which will make it so much easier for them to get a job. Salford Council has been extremely generous in funding this and we?re hoping other councils around the country will follow its ground-breaking lead.?
The ConstructionSkills organisation and B4Box provide comprehensive support to candidates including training, on-site assessment, mentoring support and equipment costs.
Nigel Donohue, Apprenticeship Programme Manager from ConstructionSkills says: ?Despite the current difficult economic climate it is vital that businesses continue to take on apprentices in order to remain competitive and be in the strongest possible position for when the upturn comes. Schemes such as this ensure that not only do apprentices get the best possible on-site experience but companies also have the best young talent working for them.?
Twelve candidates have been selected by Salford City College with skills covering joinery, plastering, painting and decorating. They will all be working towards NVQ level 2 in their chosen profession. Next year, Roy hopes that figure will be doubled.
Says Roy: ?It is vital for our industry that the achievements of young people are celebrated and that apprenticeships are seen as an effective route to success in the world of work. Sharing an apprentice is one important means to make this happen.?
Around 1,000 students are studying full-time construction courses in Greater Manchester colleges. Seddon employs approximately 1,750 people and receives around 400 applications for apprenticeships each year and offers 15. However, many of the large construction companies do not offer any. National statistics reveal that in 2008, 40,000 people applied for apprenticeships and only 8,000 were successful.
Councillor John Merry, Leader of Salford City Council, says: "This training initiative helps construction companies to work in partnership to address the industry's skills shortfall and offers apprenticeships with key players in the trade. A skilled young generation is very important to the local economy and we must support them by providing development opportunities where we can for the benefit of the city and local businesses."
Salford MP, Hazel Blears is also supporting the scheme, she says: ?Getting an apprenticeship is one of the best ways for young people to gain vital skills which will help them in the future. Salford City Council have been instrumental in developing the Shared Apprenticeship Scheme which is helping to solve the City's construction shortage as well as provide much needed jobs, and I am delighted that Seddons are involved. The drive and passion of Roy Cavanagh and his team are fantastic in helping to give young people the best start particularly in these difficult economic times, and prepare them for long term success.?
CASE STUDY: Jake Daley
Jake, aged 18, from Walkden, got the painting and decorating bug while he was still a pupil at Harrop Fold School, and used his skills to make some pocket money at weekends. On leaving school, he embarked on the NVQ2 Construction course at Salford College and although he found the theory interesting, was a little frustrated by the lack of practical experience on offer.
He applied to Seddon?s for an apprenticeship and was delighted to be accepted on the shared scheme. Jake, who lives with his mum, has already wallpapered and painted her lounge using the finely honed skills he?s acquired at college and on site. She?s delighted with his progress.
At present he is working on restoration work at the Carnegie Library in Eccles, which was built in 1907 and is being renovated to house the adult section of the library.
Says Jake: ?I feel as though I?m really improving. I?m getting faster and more skilful and there are workers on hand to put me right when I?m going wrong. It?s very hard work, but I really appreciate getting ?100 a week instead of the ?30 EMA I was getting before. I?ve even saved up for a holiday in Spain. By my late 20s I hope to have my own painting and decorating business.?
Jake says if he hadn?t got an apprenticeship he probably would have left the construction industry and drifted into ?any job? in order to pay his bills.
?I feel like I?m going places now and I?m loving what I?m doing,? he says.