Two local youngsters are being given the opportunity to learn the construction trade with a regional company– and one leading property figure believes it should become compulsory for more firms to do the same.
George Kent-Smith and Nathan Tyler are both apprentices with Deeley Construction and are working on a £2.8 million Cassidy Group development for Bromford in New Arley.
The pair are gaining valuable insight into day-to-day life on a construction site and Peter Deeley, the managing director of the Deeley Group, believes they should become the norm.
He said: “Local authorities can insert a range of conditions with the approval of the developer when they award planning permission for a development – whether it is new homes or commercial.
“Personally, I would like to see them insist that developers bring in apprentices from the local community to work on the scheme.”
In this scheme the developer, Cassidy Group, made it a contract obligation that Deeley take on trainees to provide opportunities for training.
And Peter believes authorities should be given the power to follow suit.
He said: “As a company, we are very keen to bring new blood into the industry. Without it, construction will not be able to cope with future demand because we will not have the skills in the industry.
“The Deeley Group would be more than happy to sign up to such a requirement and I am sure many other firms would too.
“Of course, there would have to parameters to it, because for very small developments it may not be appropriate but where schemes are of a substantial enough size, I believe it would benefit the whole industry.
“It simply cannot be down to a chosen few to bring through the next generation of construction professionals. The industry must work together on this and if needs a bit of help from local authorities when giving permission, I would be all for it.”
George is a trainee quantity surveyor and as part of his learning with the company, the Deeley Group is helping him undertake an HNC in Building at Coventry University.
Nathan, a trainee site operative, lives just a brick’s throw away from the development in New Arley and is gaining experience in a range of tasks.
Martin Gallagher, managing director of Deeley Construction, said: “There is nothing better for a young person who wants to make their way in the construction industry than to get out there on-site and get hands-on experience.
“Nathan and George have learned a great deal in a very short space of time and we are delighted with their progress.
“Without young people like Nathan and George coming through, we will face a serious skills crisis in the industry in the not too distant future.”