million boost for the

New technology highlights construction skills gap

Calls for improved skills levels and more apprentices in the construction industry have been welcomed by building supplies merchant Travis Perkins.

The company, headquartered in Northampton, has responded to publication of the All Party Parliamentary Group for SME House Builders report into ways to support achievement of the government’s target of 300,000 new homes built in the UK each year.

The move to Modern Methods of Construction, new ways of delivering projects and the need to adopt new technology and innovations have created an industry that is evolving at pace, with an emphasis on sustainability. These new technologies have highlighted the need to improve workforce skills levels and sustainable building practices are becoming increasingly important as the UK moves towards net zero, the report says.

It adds that promoting the benefits of a career in construction and showing how the industry is now safer, cleaner and more modern was also identified as vital for the future health of the sector.

Builders and colleges should work more closely together as their ambitions are similar; to produce an industry of skilled tradespeople. The report calls for early intervention at schools, especially in the area of careers advice, where apprenticeships are not always a focus and are often seen as secondary to university.

Government also needs to make better use of social media as a way of winning the hearts and minds of potential younger employees, the report concludes.

Published last month and launched at the House of Commons, it follows a call for evidence from the APPG to ask how the UK can boost its delivery of improved skills and more well trained and motivated apprentices.

Travis Perkins managing director Kieran Griffin said: “We are passionate about helping to build better, more sustainable communities, to enrich lives for generations to come.”

The company has around 1,000 staff enrolled on apprenticeships on more than 40 programmes across the Travis Perkins Group. “By also providing these apprenticeships via the Builders Merchants Federation, we also see it as a responsibility to contribute to developing talent for the broader construction sector,” Mr Griffin said.

Apprenticeships have proved to be a vital route in creating a pipeline of talent for the future. The pandemic has had a significant impact on the overall numbers of apprenticeships in construction but numbers are moving upwards. In January there were 14,900 new apprenticeship starts in construction in August-October 2021. At the same period in 2020, there were 8,200 starts, compared with 11,700 in the year before the pandemic.

The APPG was chaired by Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South. “The findings of this report are critical to enabling us to build the types and volume of houses the nation needs,” he said. “The report is also critical to enhancing the appeal of working in building and construction as a wellpaid, fulfilling career for more of the brightest, best and hardest working of our young people.”

Government report calls for campaign to win future talent’s hearts and minds

Kieran Griffin

Nick Freeman welcomes you to his new studio

Photographer has the future in focus

Photographer Nick Freeman has opened his second studio in Northamptonshire.

Nick Freeman Photography has built its reputation from his original studio in Corby for the past five years.

“I have been using the corner of my dining room as an office space for the last few years and really wanted to find somewhere that would give me a dedicated space for editing and client face to face meetings that did not involve a car journey,” Mr Freeman said.

The new studio, in Rothwell, has a desk work meeting area downstairs and a studio gallery upstairs with floor to ceiling glass. “It creates a really lovely bright airy space that lends itself to anything where you need creative light.”

Mr Freeman, who has been a photographer for 34 years, has also taken on board customer feedback with the new studio.

“My original studio is essentially just a box but that brings great benefits as you can make it whatever you want it to be. It is quite big though when you just need a small spot for a headshot and some clients felt a bit intimidated when they came in. I wanted to be able to offer another option.”

For the latest business news from around Northamptonshire, visit www.business-times.co.uk

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Chamber welcomes new members

Wine Chateau Limited is the latest business to join the Wellingborough and East Northants Chamber of Commerce.

The family business, based in Silver Street, is the first specialised wine merchant which focuses only on Moldovan wines. “We focus on quality wines produced by winemakers in Moldova with an extraordinary heritage and exceptional culture for wine processing,” said managing director Constantin Paunoiu.

He decided to join the Chamber after meeting its president Pritesh Ganatra at a networking event. “Since then, Pritesh has unconditionally offered support,” Mr Paunoiu said.

Also new to Chamber membership is Business Mechanisms Coaching & Consulting, run by Robert and SarahLouise Isaacson.