NHBC has revealed a new apprenticeship hub in Bransholme dedicated to training skilled house builders in the North of England
The facility was officially launched on October 12. The NHBC Training Hub works in collaboration with EN:Able Futures, an apprenticeship provider that exists under Efficiency North Holdings.
Over the next year, the NHBC Training Hub will train 50 apprentices who can qualify in as little as 18 months. The facility is well-equipped with classrooms, welfare amenities, and catering services to offer apprentices an authentic work environment, with a primary focus on bricklaying.
The importance of bricklaying
“Bricklaying is at the heart of housebuilding and a hugely important skill. An ageing workforce means we must find ways to encourage more people to come into housebuilding, with bricklaying being an excellent pathway into a rewarding and well-paid career,” said NHBC CEO Steve Wood.
“I am proud NHBC is committed to supporting the next generation of housebuilders. It’s fantastic to see them at the NHBC Training Hub where apprentices are equipped with the skills they need to build high-quality new homes, with this helping to close the skills gap and address the UK’s housing shortage,” he continued.
Since obtaining registered apprenticeship provider status in 2020, NHBC has helped around 400 people through their bricklaying and construction site supervisor programmes. These courses have been designed with industry input to ensure they cater to the requirements of both employers and employees.
Adding to existing NHBC training hubs
The new Training Hub, located on Wawne Road, is their fourth specialised training facility, joining existing hubs in Tamworth, Newcastle, and Cambridge. This expansion reflects NHBC’s commitment to training housebuilders and improving housebuilding standards in the UK.
“As an organisation, we are continually striving to provide better opportunities for the North of England, and the partnership we have established with the NHBC Training Hub is pivotal to our offering,” said Lee Parkinson, chief executive of Efficiency North.
“It’s not only about supporting individuals through their bricklaying apprenticeships to gain a qualification, but it’s also equally important they have the skills and knowledge to translate what they learn into a real site environment – which is what the NHBC Training Hub does so well,” he concluded.
