North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll praised NHBC‘s bricklaying apprenticeship training, as it combats the skills gap and housing shortage
The Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NHBC Training Hub, which officially opened in December 2022, has been built in partnership with award-winning housebuilder Keepmoat, New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC), Newcastle City Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority.
With an initial focus on bricklaying, the purpose-built facility is equipped with classrooms, welfare and catering facilities provides apprentices with a realistic working environment.
The Scotswood site can train up to 80 apprentices annually
The training hub is the second of four dedicated training facilities built by NHBC and forms part of the insurance and warranty provider’s commitment to supporting the next generation of house builders, equipping them with the skills to build high quality new homes.
It has the capacity to train up to 80 apprentices all year round in a “real-life” environment and has numerous cohort intakes throughout the year.
Speaking about his visit, Thursday 23 November 2023, Jamie Driscoll, The North of Tyne Mayor, said: “Bricklaying is a practical skill in high demand. NHBC is doing a great job of training apprentices. Developing the construction skills and experience we need in our region. Apprentices are learning on the job at this state-of-art skills hub. We are working with them to get houses built and we continue to help create quality homes that local people desperately need.”
Bricklaying must expand their pool of candidates to meet demand
Since becoming a registered apprenticeship provider in 2020, around 400 people have progressed through NHBC’s bricklaying and construction site supervisor programmes.
Darryl Stewart, responsible for NHBC’s apprentice training programme and hubs, said: “Bricklaying is at the heart of house building and is a hugely important skill. In recent years house builders have found it more challenging to recruit bricklayers for a range of reasons – bricklaying has been seen as a less attractive early careers option, an ageing workforce has seen the overall number of bricklayers diminishing and training opportunities, such as bricklaying apprenticeships, have reduced. We must find ways to encourage more people to come into house building, with bricklaying being an excellent pathway into a rewarding and well-paid career.
“The NHBC training hubs are a key component of our ongoing commitment to support the next generation of house builders, equipping them with the skills to build high-quality new homes. The hubs offer a realistic work environment, expert trainers and an apprenticeship can be completed in as little as 18 months.
“NHBC’s apprenticeships are for everyone, and we’re delighted to see people from all backgrounds coming through the hub in Scotswood, including school leavers, career changers and women wanting to work in house building. It’s never too late to learn a new skill!”
