5 minute read
WE BUILT THIS CITY
We met up with an employer who has been involved in building some of Salford and Manchester’s largest developments. Over the past few years, Cara Brickwork have welcomed apprentices from Salford City College onto sites across the North West and after recently joining our Apprenticeship Champions Group, we wanted to know how and why apprenticeships work so well for them.
As two former apprentices themselves, Joey and Neil Allen have built a company with almost 140 employees. Nurturing and developing talent is one of their key aims. Through the partnership with Apprenticeships at Salford City College, new talent is always in the pipeline.
Brothers Joey and Neil followed in the footsteps of their father and both became bricklaying apprentices many years ago. Joey explained, “We worked for our dad as apprentice bricklayers and then worked through the different roles until we became Supervisor/Site Managers at Keith Walton Brickwork for 11 years. In this time the industry grew and so did we.” After 11 years, Joey was approached with the prospect of starting up a business and now 17 years later Cara Brickwork is a well-established business across the North West and UK. With Joey Allen as Managing Director and Neil Allen as Contracts Director the brothers have their own story to tell to those new to the industry.
Neil explained how over the past few years, the industry has been experiencing a severe shortage of bricklayers and at times has struggled to find the talent. This then guided them to the apprenticeship route and who better to encourage it but the directors themselves.
At Cara they are trying to combat this growing statistic by bringing in fresh new talent. Site Manager, Mike McGloin, said: “As a whole, we are facing a skills shortage in the industry. If we train people with our teams, then hopefully they will stay and continue working with us. Over the years, the people who have come through the apprentice route are some of our most dedicated and successful workers.”
He continued: “We support apprentices because everyone deserves a chance and we are trying to build the future. It’s increasingly difficult to find good tradespeople and so we need to create and train our own.” Mike has recently welcomed six new apprentices onto the Galliford Try site in Brunswick, some from traineeships, some not in education, employment or training (NEET) and some who have just left school.
Contracts Manager, Mark Greenhalgh, stated: “The trust we have in the Apprenticeship Recruitment Team at Salford City College is fantastic. We will make an opportunity wherever possible for an apprentice when we can. The recruitment team understand our vision and it works for us. We need people that want to learn and progress in the industry.”
For many, apprenticeships are the way forward - the chance to learn whilst working. Neil explained: “Apprenticeships allow people who may be unsure in what direction or pathway they want to take to make up their mind and learn different skills. For example, someone could start off on a bricklaying apprenticeship but then decide they want to go into management. So, it’s a stepping stone into future avenues.”
Looking into the future of apprenticeships and the aging construction workforce, Joey added: “Apprenticeships are the best way to get into the industry. But I think we need to branch out by getting young people work experience so they can start early. This year we intend to work closely with the apprenticeship team to target colleges and schools then maybe we can help those people who are unsure of what they want to do.”
Cara have a strong ethos on giving back to the community by giving local people a chance. Through working with Apprenticeships at Salford City College, the team are able to gain some of the best local apprentices the city has to offer. Joey claimed: “Working with local people is a huge benefit for us because we are giving back to our community. Our close partnership with the college allows us to do this, grow our business and get young apprentices from the area onto the sites surrounding them.”
He added: “Over the years we have had around 40-50 apprentices, with many of them gaining employment with us upon successful completion of their apprenticeship.”
As the team at Cara grows, so will their need for apprentices. With a constant flow of candidates entering the system, the team at Cara make sure that their apprentices fit in with their ethos. Joey explained: “When we’re looking for people we look for the willingness to learn and their enthusiasm. We want people who are proud of what they produce and who want to progress like we do.”
MARK & AARON
One apprentice who has recently joined the team is Aaron. He started out on a week’s placement with the company and was offered the position within a few days. Mike explained: “We were so impressed with Aaron and his determination and commitment to the job that we knew he’d be a great addition to the team. We’re really looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Aaron.”
Aaron, 17 from Salford, came to the apprenticeship team wanting to enter the world of construction. After some careers advice with the team, he was offered a trial with Cara. Aaron said: “I always knew that construction was something that I wanted to go into, but I wasn’t sure what area. With the help of the advisors I managed to secure this career, Cara are fantastic to work for, the team on site really look after me.”
“Since being here, I’ve loved every minute, I am so happy to have been offered an apprenticeship with Cara Brickwork.”
Also employed at Cara is Myles, who was recruited in 2019 following on from the Build Salford Traineeship. Myles told us: “Cara are fantastic, I have every faith they will give me the career I am eager for!” Myles has also been nominated by his managers for an award at the Apprenticeships at Salford City College Annual Awards 2020.
