Press Scrapbook
Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot Programme for First Footings
The LSC is funding another innovative training programme to be run at the First Footings construction skills centre over the summer 2007.
This is a pilot project aimed at 16-18 year olds who left school in 2005 or 2006 and who are hoping to enter employment and apprenticeships in the 2007/08 academic year.
The main objective of this pre-apprenticeship training programme is to prepare young people for employment and ensure that they have reached the minimum academic standards before applying for apprenticeships in construction or in other industry sectors.
In addition to delivering practical training in a range of construction trades (leading to an OCNW certificate in ‘Preparation for Employment in Construction Industries') there will be a strong emphasis on improving levels of basic skills in literacy and numeracy along with work on job application techniques, interview skills and CV writing.
Health and Safety training leading to the CSCS certificate will also be included, plus work experience placements with local employers during the centre’s summer closure in August.
It is hoped that candidates who may have applied for an apprenticeship, but who didn’t quite meet the entry requirements, or young people who have failed an interview because they were not fully prepared when facing prospective employers, will be able to benefit from this pilot scheme.
Up to 30 places are available on the programme which commences on 29th May and runs through until September 2007. Learners must be under 19 when they enrol. This is the only pre-apprenticeship programme pilot to be approved in Sussex and if successful, the LSC may consider using this as a model of good practice to develop with training providers across the country, targeting a range of other industry sectors in addition to construction.
Young Apprentices Get Digging
There was an end of term excursion with a difference for school pupils participating in the Young Apprenticeship in Construction programme. On Monday 26th March 2007, the “Diggerland” construction adventure park at Strood in Kent was opened up exclusively for the benefit of this group of 21 young people from six Brighton & Hove schools.
The Young Apprentices, and accompanying staff, all had the opportunity to ride in, operate and drive, different types of full size construction machinery including dumper trucks, mini tractors, mini diggers and giant diggers. This was also a chance to take photos and learn about the workings of the machines from the fully trained instructors constantly on hand. In addition there were some fun rides including the JCB “Spin Dizzy” which spun, shook and elevated many of the Young Apprentices several times over!
The “Diggerland” park overlooks the river Medway with views of Rochester Castle and provided the perfect setting for a thoroughly interesting and exhilarating day out for all the pupils and staff involved.
School Pupils Get a Taste of Construction
On 2nd March 2007, 32 Pupils from 6 local schools were given a taste of the construction industry at a ‘Construction Challenge’ event hosted by City College Brighton & Hove at the First Footings workshops in Wilson Avenue. Six teams were given the task of building a timber framed structure, fitting gutters, drainpipes, installing a water tank and sink, building a brick wall, fitting a window, hanging a door, installing an electric light and finally, painting and decorating their completed ‘house’. In addition, they learned about costing and valuing their property and the importance of following building regulations when carrying out a construction project.
The aim of the day was to give young people in Year 9 the chance to enjoy themselves whilst learning about construction, communication, working in a team, project planning and decision making.
Phil Culverwell, director of the college’s construction department, said: “It was absolutely fantastic and the feedback from teachers has been brilliant. We had students that did not want to have their lunch because they were enjoying it so much! I think it is important to let youngsters know all the different vocational options there are for them as well as the academic ones”.
Judging took place to identify the best quality build. All the teams produced excellent results, unlike the ‘Building Control Office’ which was quite a comical, ramshackle structure! The winning team was “Preston Manor” consisting of Year 9 pupils from Falmer School, who were each awarded Virgin Megastore gift vouchers as their prize.
First Footie!
Students from the First Footings construction skills centre entered two teams, CFX and CFY, in a cross-college 5-a-side football competition held at the Stanley Deason Leisure Centre on 28th February 2007. Both teams were a force to be reckoned with and were unbeatable in the preliminary rounds. Stephen Hoy of CFX was the top scorer in the competition with a total of 7 goals.
8 teams participated in the competition and CFY, after dominating in the preliminary rounds, narrowly missed reaching the final by losing on penalties to 'Ralph’s Allstars'. CFX had better luck and stormed through to the final and looked set to clinch the trophy after being 2-1 up at half-time with another two stunning goals from Stephen Hoy. However, they were ‘robbed’ by two late goals and ‘Ralph’s Allstars’ eventually triumphed with a final score of 3-2.
5-a-side football teams from different areas across City College are competing in a series of contests culminating in a grand final scheduled for 25th April 2007.
CIS Rules – Important Changes Explained
A breakfast seminar for local construction employers was hosted by Constructing Futures at the Gallery Restaurant on 20th February 2007. Presentations were delivered by Humphrey & Co, a firm of chartered accountants and business & tax advisers based in Eastbourne and Hove.
The purpose was to clarify the significant changes to the HM Revenue & Customs Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) which take effect on 6th April 2007. These new taxation rules will have a major impact on all companies which use subcontractors as well as the subcontractors themselves.
Andrew Fenton and Bob Cummings of Humphrey & Co. explained that the system will now require monthly returns, there will be three payment classifications in place of two, a verification process will be introduced and there will be stiffer penalties for non-compliance and late or incomplete returns.
The presentation was extremely well received by all who attended, and a number of the issues raised generated some interesting discussion. Further information can be obtained from the HMRC website www.hmrc.gov.uk and a quick guide can be found by clicking here.
Anyone requiring assistance with the new rules is welcome to contact Humphrey & Co who have considerable knowledge and expertise in this area, a number of their staff themselves being former HM Inspectors of Taxes.
One Year On - First Footings Achievements
Former students of the First Footings construction skills training programme returned to Wilson Avenue on the evening of 19th December to be presented with Certificates of Achievement and to catch up with each others’ progress since completing the course. In addition to their certificates, each student received a CD-ROM containing a portfolio of photographs of each piece of practical work completed throughout their time spent on the First Footings training programme.
The training centre opened its doors on 4th January 2006 and by 31st December, the following outcomes and achievements had been recorded:
Of the 185 students enrolled on a First Footings course:
(including 13 females, 46 adults aged 25 or over and 57 residents from the eb4U area)
- 47 currently in training
- 59 successfully completed the 12-week course
- 42 participated in the work experience scheme
- 62 passed CSCS Health & Safety Test
- 29 passed literacy or numeracy tests at Levels 1 or 2
- 33 entered construction related employment
- 4 gained construction apprenticeships
- 2 entered non-construction related employment
- 8 entered construction related further training
- 2 entered non-construction related further training
Upon completion of the First Footings programme, students receive a “Passport of Achievement” detailing their success in each unit of practical and non-practical work and all test passes achieved, along with attendance and timekeeping. The passport includes a written reference from Constructing Futures’ staff and work experience employers, plus the student’s own feedback on what they gained from the programme.
Some photographs displaying examples of their practical work are also included and it is hoped that this distinctive and handy document will soon become recognised and valued amongst construction employers throughout Brighton & Hove as a reliable indication of the work-readiness of individuals seeking employment in the industry.
Recognition for diversity achievement
Constructing Futures is delighted to have received an additional £3,000 of funding from the Construction Youth Trust in recognition of the First Footings project achievement of recruiting 10 women onto their multi-trade construction training course since June 2006.
In presenting the cheque, Emily English of the Construction Youth Trust said
"We are delighted to be working with City College Brighton & Hove which has made such large steps forward in diversity."
Since this funding was announced, the Wilson Avenue construction skills centre has welcomed a further 4 women onto First Footings training programmes and the level of commitment, achievement and quality of work from all the female trainees has been extremely high. Constructing Futures hopes that this success will help to break down the old fashioned perception that construction is a completely male dominated industry, and that even more women will be now be motivated to enter careers in the sector.
Work Experience Success with Local Employer
First Footings has established an excellent relationship with locally-based service contractor A&A Building Contractors who, along with several other local employers that support the project, have been offering valuable workplace experience placements to students. The company is currently undertaking a large renovation project on a fire damaged block of flats near Brighton Station and have taken on students at various stages to assist with carpentry, plastering, plumbing, brickwork, painting and decorating.
Since May 2006, First Footings has placed six students with A&A, one of whom was then offered full-time employment, having impressed the company with his performance during his work placement. A further four students will be starting work experience with the company on 25th September.
”We’ve found that the trainees supplied to us by First Footings have been well received by our site managers and hopefully they have found their time spent with us worthwhile”, says A&A’s Commercial Manager David Smith. “By working together we can encourage individuals to train and gain skills in the construction industry, which in the long term can only benefit the sector.”
First Footings student David Bujok shares David Smith’s enthusiasm for First Footings:
"Getting onto the scheme has made a huge difference to my life and has got me up-and- running in my career in the building trade. It really helped me to become more confident, my work improved a lot and the staff were always there to help you out or show you where you might be going wrong. Thanks to First Footings, I found work with A&A and have been able to put into practice all the skills I’ve learnt and develop them. I’ve been given a variety of work with the company and its working out really well.”
Fellow-student Robert Keatley also feels that First Footings has had a positive impact on his life:
“The First Footings staff were really helpful and taught me a lot. During my placement at A&A, the workers took time to encourage me and make use of my new skills and that was an important learning curve for me too.”
Constructing Futures Hosts Awareness-raising Event
On Wednesday 26th July 2006, Constructing Futures hosted an evening at the Alias Seattle Hotel, Brighton Marina, to raise awareness of the shortage of Apprenticeships within the Construction Industry.
The event provided an opportunity for industry representatives to meet Phil Culverwell, City College’s newly appointed Director of Construction. Mr Culverwell explained the revitalised strategy for construction training which is now being implemented. Information was also presented regarding apprenticeships, the process involved, available grants and support, plus what an employer can expect if they take on an apprentice.
Mr Culverwell described how new ways of supporting employers and breaking down some of the perceived barriers are being examined. Constructing Futures and City College will be looking at innovative models to support employers, for example the proposal that employers may be able to ‘share’ apprentices. There is an acute shortage of Work Based Learning places within the construction industry in Sussex. Constructing Futures is aiming to secure sufficient work placements for apprentices in Brickwork, Carpentry & Joinery, Plumbing and Electrical Installation, starting their training in September 2006. Companies were asked to register their commitment to Work Based Learning across the region.
Guests at the event were offered a complimentary drink upon arrival followed by a buffet and a free prize draw. Tony Tiplady from TK Installations won the first prize of a day at Brighton Races with tickets to the premier enclosure and a meal for two at the exclusive Silks Restaurant. Paul King from Abacus won second prize of a meal for two at the Gallery Restaurant.
City College Achieves Funding For Construction Training
City College Brighton & Hove has been successful in its bid to participate in the national Young Apprenticeship Programme beginning in September 2006. Up to thirty students will have the opportunity to take part in a Construction training programme, which is being led by the ‘Constructing Futures’ project team.
This exciting and innovative new programme is aimed at 14-16 year olds who are targeted to achieve 5 or more GCSEs at grades A-C. The programme is designed to be both challenging and fun for individuals and it requires focus and determination to balance this with school curriculum subjects. Students will attend City College studying for a BTEC First Diploma at both the College’s Wilson Avenue annexe and the new Tradelink facility in Pelham Street. In addition, there will be 50 days of work experience over the two years. Students will experience a range of construction occupations over the 2 year framework following either a multi-craft or a carpentry and joinery pathway.
Phil Culverwell, Director of Construction at City College, says:
"The UK's construction industry is respected around the globe and it’s our biggest export, generating over £1 billion a year. However, there are serious skills shortages in Brighton and Hove which is why we’re delighted to be involved in the Young Apprenticeship programme. It’s a very positive development in construction training."
This qualification is in addition to the core school curriculum subjects taken by Young Apprentices and the diploma is the equivalent of 4 GCSEs. In addition to the diploma, students will obtain a Health & Safety certificate prior to work placement. Students will also benefit from a range of educational trips to large building companies and sites, materials manufacturers and the Construction Industry Training Board construction skills training centre.
The Young Apprenticeship Programme has been developed by the Learning & Skills Council to provide the skills, knowledge and experience of work in addition to the core National Curriculum subjects of English, Maths, ICT and Science. It is envisaged that by participating in the programme, young people will benefit from their involvement in a variety of different learning environments.
Students Build a Foundation for Future
STUDENTS have been building their skills at a bricklaying competition. ‘Constructing Futures’ hosted the Guild of Bricklayers’ Southern Brickwork competition at City College Brighton & Hove’s Wilson Avenue site on 23rd June.
Brighton and Hove’s budding brickies were pitted against contestants from the Isle of Wight, Crawley, Hastings, South Kent College Ashford, Highbury, Sussex Downs, Oxford, Basingstoke and Northbrook.
Hastings won the senior competition and Sussex Downs won the junior competition.
Brighton bricklayers gave a good account of themselves with City College’s Daniel Costin securing third place in the juniors.
City College bricklaying lecturer Jim Ladson-Wright said: “We were proud to host the event and feel honoured to support all the good work that the Guild of Bricklayers does across the UK.”
The Argus, Friday 30th June 2006
Sussex Construction Training Initiatives Event
On 13th June 2006, Constructing Futures hosted a Sussex wide event involving representatives from local Councils, FE Colleges, Construction Employers plus a number of Training, Employment and Careers Organisations. The objective was to examine key success factors and good practice identified by Constructing Futures and other projects and initiatives across Sussex, and to look at how well defined and consistent strategies could be established in the following areas:
- Developing effective employer engagement and industry involvement in local construction training.
- Working with Local Councils and Housing Associations to implement training and employment agreements.
- Linking up the supply of work-ready, pre-employment trained local people with both employer demand and further training opportunities across Sussex.
There were speakers from Jobcentre Plus, Sussex Council of Training Providers, Constructing Futures, Karis Developments and Hastings Borough Council. Each topic was followed by an open floor discussion leading to the identification of potential barriers to progress and suggested next steps for making further progress.
The event concluded with a ‘surprise’ guest speaker – Andrew Clamp, aged 17, the first student to gain an apprenticeship with a local construction firm after completing his pre-employment training at the First Footings construction skills centre. Andrew spoke with enthusiasm about the value of this training programme and the opportunities which it has opened up for him.
The main conclusions of the event were that clear benefits can be identified where Innovation, Partnership building and Culture changes can be facilitated. The positive impact should be strengthened if certain innovative practices, which have been shown to benefit all parties involved in a local or individual situation, could be turned into the accepted norm across a wider county area, even regionally or nationally. It is hoped that follow-up to this event will involve the monitoring of progress in all the areas discussed and the reporting of any significant developments which are identified.
Construction Workers get 'First Footings' in East Brighton
Opened in January 2006, the First Footings construction skills training centre in East Brighton is now successfully assisting young people and adults - who have previously faced barriers to employment - to develop the essential skills for a career in construction. Based at City College’s Wilson Avenue annexe and run by local construction skills agency, Constructing Futures, the initiative has been extremely well received locally. The effectiveness of the project’s partnership with employers and referral agencies has also been evident. Four months on, 65 trainees have joined the 14-week programme, 15 work experience placements have been provided, 8 local people have now gained employment and a plumbing apprenticeship has been taken up.
Andrew Clamp was one of the first students to come onto the course. Aged only 16, he initially wanted to be a carpenter and went through the brickwork and carpentry phases of the course with no problems. However, when he started plumbing, he excelled and it became his chosen path. With outstanding attendance and punctuality, Andrew completed his course work on time and Kier Building Maintenance offered him a work placement. At the end of his two weeks, he received a glowing reference from the plumber he had been assigned to and Kier were delighted to offer him an apprenticeship. Andrew is now a Kier employee and will be following an NVQ level 2 Plumbing Course in September.
Constructing Futures aims to go beyond targets already set by the First Footings project and looks to its partners for their continued support to ensure the long term delivery of quality services and training which remain relevant to the needs of the construction industry locally and beyond. For more information on the project, contact 01273 667765 or visit www.constructingfutures.co.uk
Business Edge Magazine, June 2006
Employer Networking Event -
Coral Stadium, Hove, 23rd May 2006
A very successful and enjoyable social and networking event was held at Coral greyhound racing stadium on the evening of 23rd May attended by approximately 85 guests, mostly members of the Construction Employers Group, plus representatives from Constructing Futures, City College Brighton & Hove, CITB and project funders.
Commercial sponsors for the event were Kohler Mira Limited, Ferroli Limited and Travis Perkins. Along with Constructing Futures and City College Brighton & Hove, the following companies kindly sponsored races during the evening:
- A. J. Taylor Electrical Contractors Limited,
- P. H. Beck Limited,
- Interior Innovations Limited,
- Kier Building Maintenance.
Constructing Futures took this opportunity to thank the event sponsors and all the commercial partners who are actively supporting Constructing Futures-First Footings, funding partners and non-commercial partners, for their continued support.
Building the Local Workforce at First Footings
The Constructing Futures - First Footings construction skills centre, based at City College Brighton and Hove’s Wilson Avenue site, opened its doors on 4th January 2006 and the first students on its 14-week pre-apprenticeship, pre-employment training programme are now coming towards the end of their training. Their next step is to embark on work experience placements with local companies which will give them a real taste of life in the construction industry and a chance to prove their potential as apprentices or improvers to local employers wishing to offer career opportunities to motivated, work ready trainees who have developed their talents across a range of trades during their time at First Footings.
eb4U funding to the tune of £117,000 has helped to transform part of the former East Brighton College of Media Arts into a virtual construction site. Every day, students arrive at 8am, get their workboots on and begin a new practical task, learning and demonstrating the basics of brickwork, plastering, carpentry, tiling or plumbing. After ten weeks at the Centre, students will have covered all the skills needed to build, install and decorate a fully fitted bathroom. Every piece of work completed is photographed to build up a portfolio of evidence of each student’s training which helps develop a definite sense of satisfaction and pride in what they have achieved – something which is reflected in the high quality of work being produced.
Former Falmer High School pupil Arron Ide (20) from Moulsecoomb is just one of the young adults benefiting from the initiative. “It appealed to me because I wanted to be a builder but I couldn’t get a job because I didn’t have any qualifications” says Arron. “I’ve learnt a lot and I can use all the skills I’m getting now when I go out into work placements. I think I’ve got really good at plastering especially. There’s good staff here. They treat us like adults and at school we were just treated like a bunch of kids. After training here I’m hoping to get a full-time job and like any young person, I want to earn lots of money and become rich!”
Another ex-Falmer pupil Ashley Coomber (22), also from Moulsecoomb, has progressed well at First Footings and is looking forward to working in the construction industry: “I’ve done labouring before but I didn’t learn skills like I’m doing now. I’m hoping to be a qualified plasterer or carpenter at the end of the course. I’d advise other young people to come to First Footings and stick at it. It’s a good course to be on.”
Through its strong links with local employers, Constructing Futures works hard to find the most suitable work experience placements for First Footings leavers. In the first two months of running this programme, thirteen eb4U area residents have already joined the programme and it is hoped that the innovative training methods applied at First Footings will now be able to help many more local people fulfil their ambitions and access a career in construction.
eb4U newsletter, April 2006
Children build up to a new career
YOUNGSTERS from a dozen schools across East Sussex were invited to test their skills in a variety of trades from plumbing to carpentry.
The event took place at the new First Footings construction skills centre at the former Comart building in Wilson Avenue, Brighton.
It gave children from years 9, 10 and 11 a hands-on taster of the construction industry, which is suffering a serious skills shortage.
Sallie White, project officer at the centre, said: “The workshop groups I sat in with were very animated, with plenty of enthusiastic questions being asked.”
Hove Park School teacher Gill Page said: “It has been excellent so many pupils have been able to get actual hands-on experience in something they are hoping to do as a career. Some have changed their minds from their original ideas now they know more about alternative trades and careers available in construction, which they have found interesting.”
Argus Business, 4th April 2006
Building a future
King Alfred, Falmer, The Brighton Centre, Black Rock, Jubilee Street, Brighton Station: the sheer scale of development planned for Brighton and Hove over the next decade is staggering. But who is going to build them all? Business editor JAMES LANCASTER went to the launch of an innovative training scheme that hopes to provide the answer.
A “virtual building site” was opened this week to help youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds find work in the crisis-hit building trade. First Footings is a new construction skills training centre based at the former East Brighton College of Media Arts in Wilson Avenue, Whitehawk.
The project is the result of Constructing Futures, a partnership between City College Brighton & Hove and more than 50 employers and financial backers.
It is aimed at 16-24 year olds who are not in education, employment or training and at adults who are long term unemployed or face barriers to employment.
Over the next ten years, the scale of development in Brighton & Hove is likely to exceed £2 billion. Another £190 million is needed to meet the decent homes standard.
About 8,000 more skilled workers are needed in Sussex to deliver this level of construction and yet unemployment in Brighton and Hove is twice the regional average.
Meanwhile, employers such as building contractors and sub-contractors have long complained about the quality of young recruits who enter the industry.
First Footings has been established to tackle all three problems at once.
Rather than traditional classroom based learning, First Footings gets down to the nitty-gritty of building walls, plastering , joinery and plumbing. The three-and-a-half month course was put together by construction training specialist StudyXpress, which has run a similar scheme with great success in Fareham, Hampshire.
Course leader Mike Sexton said: “Most of the youngsters here have issues of one kind or another and have already rejected classroom learning.
“So we have made it as close to a real building site as possible.
“We start at 8am, we don’t wear shirts and ties, and we don’t worry if there is a bit of ‘effing and blinding’.
“My role is more friend and mentor than teacher and that’s important because as soon as you start talking in a certain way, the barriers go up and they switch off.
“All the basic skills are taught here, including numeracy and literacy, but the theory comes second to the practical. I tend to work them very hard so they are begging me to go on the computers!
“But it is very peer driven. I have devised the course so there is a healthy competition between the students and they are never given too long on one particular thing.”
Ray Loftus, 58, has worked as a carpenter in Brighton & Hove for 30 years and is now passing his expertise on to youngsters at First Footings. He said: “We try to speak their language. We try to be an aid or a friend as opposed to being a teacher.
“It’s early days but I think this could work.
“The youngsters are made to try everything so when they go out into the workplace, they really know what they want to do.”
A typical pre-apprenticeship training course lasts 14 weeks. This includes ten weeks’ practical training, after which time the student should be “work ready”, followed by a two-week work placement with a local employer. Students are then given two weeks to build a mini bungalow in the grounds of the training centre with their peers.
Andrew Garrett, project director of the Constructing Futures scheme, said: “The centre is designed to offer a genuine taste of what it’s like to work in the construction industry.
“That’s important because they can see the wall they have built or that bit of plastering they have just finished and they can claim ownership – they can say ‘I did that’.
“One of the most valuable things about First Footings is rebuilding self-esteem.
“They want to come back tomorrow because they have done something worthwhile today.”
He added: “If we don’t have a workforce, we will have to import labour from outside the city.
“Do we really want to bring people down from the North or from Europe?”
The £1.4 million project was launched in August last year with a series of bridge-building talks between employers, training providers and funders.
Brighton-based building contractor Integra, which turns over £12 million and employs 250 people locally, is one of the companies that has lent its support to the project.
Commercial director Steve Hayman said previous initiatives had failed. He said: “We were getting so confused by all the initiatives that were being fed to us and to be honest, most of them left a lot to be desired because they didn’t approach business.
“Constructing Futures came round in a white van with a bacon sandwich and listened to what we wanted and gave us a chance to explain the practicalities of the business.
“One of the major problems we have had is the attitude of apprentices. Some of them just don’t want to be there or can’t get out of bed in the morning.”
He said the First Footings scheme addressed these problems. He said: “We are not just training people to go and work on a site.
“Builders become surveyors or sub-contractors who go on to be managers and company directors.
“The skills and recruitment problem in the industry is a real problem for the future and one that goes right through to management level, so we have to sort it out.”
Faith Matyszak, 75, a member of residents association Whitehawk Voice, said the practical teaching methods used by First Footings were long overdue. “Not all kids are suited to classroom learning, especially if they have missed out on a basic education in the first place. There is not much point sticking a text book in front of them.
“If the kids are doing something they enjoy, they will learn all the academic stuff on the job.
“If they are not enjoying it, they will play hookey. It’s as simple as that.”
The centre is currently set up for entry-level students. Later in the year, facilities will be made available for people to advance their skills with the opportunity to gain BTECs and NVQs.
By June this year, it is hoped that First Footings will be extended to school leavers across Brighton & Hove and Adur, not just those from referral agencies.
Construction Workers Get 'First Footings' at New Training Centre
An innovative new pre-apprenticeship and pre-employment Construction Skills Training Centre based at City College Brighton and Hove’s Wilson Avenue site in East Brighton has been officially launched. ‘First Footings’ is aimed primarily at 16-24 year olds who are not in education, employment or training and adults who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. At the launch, guests had the opportunity to tour the training facilities and witness the Centre’s first group of students demonstrating their newly acquired skills in trades such as bricklaying and plastering.
First Footings is the latest initiative from Constructing Futures, an agency created to address the skills shortage crisis in the local construction industry. Over the next ten years, the scale of planned development in Brighton and Hove is likely to exceed £2 billion pounds. The city currently doesn’t have sufficient numbers of skilled workers to deliver this scale of development yet local unemployment is twice the regional average.
Andrew Garrett, Project Director of Constructing Futures/First Footings, says:
“The Centre is designed to offer a genuine taste of what it's like to work in the construction industry. Instead of relying on classroom-based lessons, we’re using a practical approach to learning. On our replica building site, real on-site conditions are simulated so the students have the chance to gain hands-on experience in a variety of construction skills.”
Amongst the invited guests were civic dignitaries, local politicians, representatives from partner organisations and local construction employers who have supported First Footings with sponsorship and donations. Local community representatives also attended. The event included an official opening by the Queen’s representative, The Vice Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mr Peter Field DL. Mr Field says:
“Lots of people in the city know that it’s vital for the future to have this kind of skills base activity available for the new intake of students. City College has been doing a marvellous job in a very practical way with a whole range of courses and ‘First Footings’ is going to add enormously to the capital of the city.”
Students have a variety of opportunities open to them following the programme. They can join an apprenticeship scheme employed by a local construction firm, continue with further training - perhaps on a full-time Intermediate Construction Award (ICA) or a Programme Led Pathway NVQ - or they can go directly into employment as a semi-skilled worker. First Footings work with a number of employers to ensure that suitable work experience placements are secured for the students. Throughout the programme, students are offered individual careers guidance and support to ensure that the right choices are made. Having completed the First Footings programme, a student’s employability will be greatly enhanced and Constructing Futures works closely with its commercial partners to encourage them to take on apprentices and supports those companies with advice and guidance on their training requirements.
'Constructing Futures' Tackles Local Construction Skills Shortage
The Mayor of Brighton and Hove and key players in Sussex's training and skills sector recently gathered at the Station Gateway Site in Brighton to herald the launch of 'Constructing Futures'. This is a Government-funded project designed to engage with local employers and advise them of the urgent need for a local, skilled construction workforce.
Constructing Futures is managed by City College Brighton and Hove and Brighton and Hove City Council, with funding provided by the South East Development Agency (SEEDA). Attending the launch event was Managing Director of Adenstar Construction Group, Derek Chapman. Adenstar is the building contractor for the Station Gateway Site and carries out contracts throughout the UK and overseas. Mr Chapman says: "We're totally behind this initiative. If we don't invest in the future, we won't have a future to invest in."
Over the next 10 years, the scale of planned development in Brighton and Hove is likely to exceed 2 billion pounds. The city currently doesn't have sufficient numbers of skilled workers to deliver this scale of development yet local unemployment is twice the regional average.
Clearly, the construction industry needs tradespeople and employers to meet future demands. Constructing Futures is focused on addressing this issue, offering apprenticeships as well as assessor roles for experienced tradespeople who can pass on their skills and knowledge. The average age of a construction worker in Sussex is now 47 and new opportunities need to be generated for young people to access apprenticeships if the local industry is to thrive.
Constructing Futures Project Manager Andrew Garrett says:
"Constructing Futures is about planning and training now to reverse the local skills shortage. It can help businesses to grow by recruiting more of the right staff and show them ways in which they can support the construction industry now and in the future."
Constructing Futures Conference
The recent Constructing Futures Conference at Sussex University was planned over two days to ensure that all those involved could have an input in addressing the skills shortage. The first day was aimed at local authorities. Training providers and funders in the area while the second day was focused on construction employers, small businesses and developers to engage them in increasing training opportunities and allow them the opportunity for an input into their industry's future.
Over 140 people attended the conference, demonstrating the support Constructing Futures has in addressing the construction skills shortage in the area. The event fulfilled a number of aims; it provided a platform for change in the Sussex construction industry, it encouraged businesses to become more proactively involved in training and employing local people, and finally, it encouraged training providers and funders to change to meet the needs of employers and generally served to instigate a dialogue between all parties involved. The fact that employers were willing to forego a day's work to come to the event suggests that they are ready to take on responsibility for bringing about improvements in local construction skills.
Alan McCarthy, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council, spoke on the second day. He outlined the major build projects planned within the area over the next few years and expressed his commitment to improving construction skills locally. Other participants in the event included the developers of the King Alfred site in Hove, who outlined their exemplary programme supporting local skills development, the National Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Area Director.
Dear Colleagues
We are delighted to announce that Constructing Futures, last night, received a Brighton & Hove Business Award on behalf of City College Brighton & Hove. At a glittering event in the marque at Brighton Race Course myself along with John Evans and Peter Shepherd collected the award in the category of Education in the Community, which was sponsored by the University of Sussex.
Constructing Futures received overwhelming support from the judges and a special commendation in generating innovative practice in the area of addressing the skills gap in the priority sector of construction.
City College Brighton & Hove is leading good practice in Sussex in meeting the needs of employers by engaging with them in their place of work and speaking their language. Constructing Futures is proud to be the first skills area in the college to receive a Brighton & Hove Business Award and are confident that this is the first of many awards which the college can expect to be nominated for in future.
Congratulation to all the staff both past and present who have worked so hard to make Constructing Futures a success. They are: Claire Mitchell; Louise Munt; Laura Williams; Stephen Wilkins; Abigail Freeman; Laura Spinks; and Claire Harris. Also thanks to Bob Tipping and Andy Green without whom Constructing Futures would never have happened.
Regards, Andrew Garrett
Project Director Constructing Futures
Constructing Futures
City College Brighton & Hove
Wilson Avenue
Brighton BN2 5PB
Tel: 01273 667 765
