With the ongoing shortage of skills in the construction industry, one national roofing contractor is celebrating after one of the company’s apprentices has become the youngest to achieve an NVQ Level 2 in Roof Slating & Tiling in the company’s history.
Harry Flatt was just 16 when he joined Bracknell Roofing as an apprentice. Over the course of two years he has worked to successfully complete the company’s Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) partnered apprenticeship programme, becoming the youngest fully-qualified member of the company’s extensive nationwide roofing team.
Investing in future talent is something Bracknell Roofing has long championed as an effective way to overcome the ongoing skills shortage facing the sector, with the business launching its current apprenticeship and training scheme in 2013. Since launching its current scheme Bracknell Roofing has already seen more than 30 people enrol, with plans to expand the programme by a further 20 places in 2017.
As the construction industry faces the challenge of filling almost 200,000 jobs by 2018, according to figures from the CITB, Bracknell Roofing is calling on both businesses and educational bodies alike to play their part in investing in future talent.
Simon Smith, managing director of Bracknell Roofing, said: “While construction is experiencing growth at present, driven by the need for new homes; having to fill the rising number of jobs across the sector is also presenting a huge challenge. The construction sector as a whole must now work together to encourage more people interested in working in the industry to train in the trades, which in turn will help safeguard the future.
“By bringing in more apprentices we can not only help to bridge the skills shortage, but we can also equip them with the skills and industry recognised qualifications to enjoy a long and successful career. This is something we believe passionately in at Bracknell and that’s why we continue to invest in our team with apprentices. We are delighted to see Harry’s achievement, and look forward to developing more new apprentices next year, supported by our expert team of roofing specialists.”
Bracknell Roofing is also investing in its wider team, through its internal trainee management programme. The scheme, which currently has five members of staff enrolled, delivers commercial and contract management training programmes focussed on developing highly skilled and motivated employees to support long-term operational and strategic development aims of the business.
Harry Flatt commented: “It is great to have the opportunity to train alongside such roofing specialists over the past two years, and to be recognised with this achievement. I look forward to further building on my experiences so far, and enjoying a long career within the industry.”
