Wates Construction launches National Skills Academy

27 July, 2010

Wates Construction launched the National Skills Academy for Construction in Luton today.

Andrew Wates joined over 100 invited guests representing the construction industry, education providers and training organisations to officially open the Academy, which is forming a major part of Wates added value programme in Luton. 

The event, held at one of Wates Construction projects, Lea Manor School, highlighted the significant contribution that the National Skills Academy for Construction Project (NSAfC) will make to the area over the next four years - creating jobs and apprenticeship opportunities whilst tackling skills shortages and driving up the standard of training in the industry. 

Steve Geary, Skills Strategy Director at ConstructionSkills, spoke at the event, explaining: “Over the next five years the prognosis for the construction industry in the East of England is among the best in the UK with projected growth significantly higher than the national average (1.7%) at 3.8%. 

“Focussed, on-site, employer-led training, through enlightened companies like Wates Construction and NSAfC Projects like this, is a highly effective way of delivering training to local people and will help ensure that the industry will be able to deploy the right skills, in the right place at the right time in the future. 

The National Skills Academy for Construction is a new approach to learning – harnessing the training opportunities that are provided when the whole construction supply chain (clients, professional services, contractors and sub-contractors) come together on a major construction project3 – in this case the renewal and rebuilding of schools across the region which Wates is delivering as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Andrew Wates said: "This event supports two of Wates core objectives.  It is creating a training place for the future of our industry, and is leaving a lasting legacy to the communities in which we work in.  I am absolutely delighted to be at this event and that Wates are funding such an important project in Luton."

During the four year project the NSAfC will see: 80 jobs advertised locally, 120 apprentices recruited (26 having already been placed across Wates’ supply chain), 8 graduates recruited, 40 training plans produced through engagement with subcontractors, plus 48 individuals undergoing courses supervisor courses and 16 individual leadership & management courses delivered.

To download direction to the National Skills Academy for Construction click here

To download a pdf of this press release click here

Categories: national delivery, BSF, people, supply chain, events, national, northern home counties

Tags: apprentices, Luton BSF, National Skills Academy for Construction