Construction
apprentices construction industry awards
Federation of Master Builders - FMB launches nationwide search for the UK’s top apprentices
Thanks to TV tycoon Sir Alan Sugar,
being an apprentice is back in fashion
As Sir Alan launches his search to find his perfect candidate,
the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) begins its hunt for
apprentices who have already made their name in the construction
industry.
The Apprentice of the Year Awards 2007 is a nationwide search
for the cream of the construction industry’s talent, with a
£1,000 top prize. The competition is run in conjunction with the
FMB’s Master Builder of the Year Awards and is open to any UK
apprentice in the construction industry, not just those who are
working for FMB member firms.
Last year’s Apprentice of the Year, 19-year old Sean Facey was
an apprentice for small family firm S&M Marsh. With his
exceptional carpentry skills, project management and a ‘can do’
attitude, Sean won the top prize of £1,000 and his training
officer and boss each won a luxury all inclusive weekend break
at a Paramount Hotel.
Apprenticeships offered by quality building firms ensure that
Britain builds a high standard of craftsmen and women for the
future. The FMB is determined to reward these, often overlooked,
talented young people, whose hard work, outstanding ability and
‘can do’ attitude provides a valuable contribution to the
businesses they work for.
“The construction industry is the UK’s largest industry and it
struggles to maintain a skilled, qualified workforce. The
Apprentice of the Year Award not only offers the chance to put
talented and deserving young people from the industry in the
spotlight, but may also encourage other young people to consider
a career in one of the construction trades,” said Richard Diment,
director general of the FMB.
The FMB is seeking nominations for The Apprentice of the Year
2007 from employers, customers, tutors or members of the
ConstructionSkills regional teams.
So whether you are a talented apprentice or you run a building
firm that prides itself on training new recruits, you can find
more details and download an entry form at
www.findabuilder.co.uk or by calling 0870 162 0942. The closing
date for entries is 31st July and Sarah Beeny will present the
winners with their awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in
London, on November 8th 2007.
Max Hamps, Apprenticeships Director at ConstructionSkills, says:
'The industry seeks over 87,000 new recruits a year, so it is
vital that we continue to promote a positive image, encourage
quality young people to take up careers in construction and show
them the range of amazing jobs on offer.'
ConstructionSkills and Screwfix Direct sponsor the Apprentice of
the Year category. Entries for this category do not have to
feature the biggest or most complicated projects; they just need
to show that the apprentice has used a high level of skill in
their chosen trade.
Simon O’Mahony, Head of Marketing at Screwfix says, ” As a long
time supplier to the building trade, we understand the
importance of encouraging the next generation of talented and
motivated trades people and are proud to be associated with the
Apprentice of the Year Award 2007.”
Master Builder of the Year 2007 is organised by the Federation
of Master Builders in association with Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd,
and sponsored by American Express, Aon Ltd, B & CE Benefit
Schemes, British Gypsum Ltd, Buildstore, CITB-ConstructionSkills,
Energy Saving Trust, Envirowise, HBXL, Hilti, Homebuilding and
Renovating, LABC, NHBC, Paramount Group of Hotels, Professional
Builder Magazine, Sage (UK) Ltd, Screwfix, Travis Perkins, and
Master Builder magazine.
Email: jo.reid@ridgemountpr.co.uk