GMI’s undergraduate construction work placements and apprenticeships have earned it a position in the prestigious 5% Club
GMI Construction Group has long championed undergraduate construction work placements and apprenticeships. It believes that these kinds of work opportunities are the best way to encourage young people into the industry and provide them with an accurate insight into what really goes on in the construction industry.
More than 650 members belong to the employer-led UK charity the 5% Club. The ambition of the charity is to inspire and educate businesses and organisations to increase the number of apprentices, sponsored students, and graduate trainees that they take on. It is hoped that through increasing opportunities for undergraduate construction work placements and apprenticeships, we will help to eradicate poverty.
GMI Construction Group collaborates with universities across the country
The company has links with seven universities: Leeds Beckett, Nottingham Trent, Coventry, Birmingham City, Salford, Liverpool John Moores and Sheffield Hallam and has contacts in Leeds College of Building. It also employs four undergraduates per year undertaking construction-related degrees and recently recruited three apprentices to bring its cohort to 16, bringing its total workforce to 213 people.
The £200m train manufacturing plant project in Goole, East Yorkshire provides a clear example of the company’s genuine commitment to training and development. Here, it has created four apprenticeships, and five university and college work placements, as well as hosting educational visits and workshops for schools, colleges, and universities.
Work placements are essential to providing young people with a real understanding of what happens on site
GMI Construction Group, with offices in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and Teesside, believes that in order to gain a real insight into working on construction sites, individuals must complete a work placement. This is why the company prides itself on offering so many undergraduate construction work placements apprenticeships – because it knows how extremely useful they are.
For example, construction students from Wirral Met College recently engaged in placements, apprenticeships, job opportunities and site visits to the Wirral Waters regeneration project at Birkenhead. This kind of work is invaluable for those wanting to gain more knowledge and practical experience on site.
Meanwhile, four Level 3 Construction & the Built Environment students from Leeds College of Building have been involved in the building of a new 604-bed purpose built student accommodation both in the city and at Thorpe Park. This partnership will continue to grow, providing continued learning to students keen to get even more experience.
‘This company is committed to encouraging the next generation into the construction industry’
CEO of GMI Construction Group Lee Powell commented:
“This company is committed to encouraging the next generation into the construction industry, to develop their skills and create clear pathways of progression.
“Earn and learn opportunities are key to developing employees who not only possess the industry knowledge but also have hands-on practical experience.
“We offer everything from apprenticeships to trainee site manager training, backed up by the necessary mentoring and support that they require to grow in their career.
“This approach also benefits the business as it delivers more effective and motivated employees, while ensuring an inclusive and accessible workplace.”
Gill Cronin, operations director of The 5% Club, added:
“I’m delighted to welcome GMI Construction Group as a member. The construction industry is a major employer of apprentices and graduates and it’s excellent to see that it is setting a great example and providing a wealth of opportunities.”
