Shrewsbury building contractor has supported a record number of employees
SJ Roberts Construction Ltd and Shrewsbury Colleges Group have been working on the delivery of their apprenticeship programme since 2004. Now, the groups have announced a wider range of training pathways to encourage more people into the job.
Currently, 36 students are involved in the apprenticeship training that is supported by the SJ Roberts team. However, in an impressive turn of events additional students have recently become involved with taking further steps to obtain a career in construction.
Four T-Level students and one BTEC student spend one day a week on site with the construction company and a further two students completing level four and five qualifications in quantity surveying and site supervisor roles, along with T-level students, will attend guest lectures delivered by both SJ Roberts Construction and their sister-company Lowfield Timber Frames.
Commenting on the growing partnership with Shrewsbury Colleges Group, manager director of SJ Roberts Construction Ltd, Mike Sambrook said: ‘We so often hear the construction sector complain about a lack of skilled labour, but we’ve recognised that won’t change if we’re not prepared to invest in the training process itself.’
Mike added: ‘We’ve long supported apprentices and have witnessed the positive contribution that they make to the company, but it’s worth remembering that there’s a myriad of pathways that lead to careers in construction which is why we’ve actively extended our partnership with Shrewsbury Colleges Group.’
The work SJ Roberts Construction are doing to encourage young people into construction isn’t going unmissed. Research from a survey conducted by the Construction Industry Training Board shows around half of workers are aged 34 and under (45%), which is a higher proportion than compared with the UK population as a whole (36%).
In addition, experts found just 6% of construction workers are aged 60 or over.
Stuart Raine, curriculum director for construction and built environment studies at Shrewsbury colleges group, expressed her delight about the success of their partnership with SJ Roberts.
‘We’re delighted to have such a strong and long-standing partnership in place with SJ Roberts and Lowfield Timber Frames,’ Stuart said. ‘The ability for our students to have practical experience either through apprenticeships or work experience placements is hugely beneficial in their development of skills for the workplace. We know that our students will get the best possible introduction to a working life through SJ Roberts and Lowfield Timber Frames.’
Image: SJ Roberts Construction Ltd
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