Skills boost for construction apprentices in Midlands

Five apprentices have been given the opportunity to learn firsthand what it takes to forge a career in construction on a housing development in Coventry.

Aged between 17 and 20, the apprentices are helping to transform the site of an old council depot building on William Lewis Walk, Coventry into 36 high-quality homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.

The £4.2M housing scheme is a partnership between housing provider Midland Heart, construction company Bouygues UK and Coventry City Council, supported by funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Sarah Bishop, 20, who is studying quantity surveying at Wolverhampton University and working as a trainee assistant site manager at Bouygues UK said: “I’d 100 per cent recommend getting into the building trade. I am thoroughly enjoying my time working for Bouygues and all the valuable knowledge I am learning whilst working on site.

“I would love to see more women working in construction. I am hoping to influence a new generation of women to get into construction, challenging preconceptions  and take on roles in what has historically been a male dominated industry.”

Work began on site in May last year with the new homes forming part of the HCA’s New Affordable Homes Programme which aims to increase the supply of new affordable homes in England by March 2018. Work on site is due for completion in Autumn 2017.

Head of Development at Midland Heart, Anna-Maria Edwards, said: “We are extremely proud that our partnership work with Bouygues UK is providing apprenticeships and training opportunities to help people start their career in the constructions industry.”

“It is important to Midland Heart to continue to support apprenticeships, we have welcomed this as an important step in addressing skills shortages and inviting young people to consider a career in the industry.”

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