PILNING builder Helm Construction is sidestepping looming industry labour shortages by expanding its own successful in-house training programme.

The firm is already bringing forward the next generation of apprentices rather than recruiting from a rapidly constricting labour pool or relying on sub-contractors.

The faster than expected recovery has resulted in a nationwide shortage of trained construction workers – with the number of bricklayers out of work dwindling to just 1,775 in August from a peak of 15,425 back in 2009.

Helm Construction site manager Kim Ritchings said: “Many firms abandoned their training schemes and laid off their apprentices to save costs during the downturn - which is one reason why so many companies are struggling to find properly trained staff now.

“We recognised the recovery would begin in the construction sector and were determined to ensure we were fully prepared to meet the steep increase in demand.”

Helm Construction has just offered two new apprenticeships to James Fox and Lee Nicholls, while Kim, Stuart Rawlings and Scott Reeves have been on training courses to speed their progress up through the ranks.

Kim said: “We have a strong record of bringing on and promoting our apprentices, secure in the knowledge they have done things our way from day one.

“Scott Reeves worked his way up through the ranks to site foreman after starting as an apprentice during the recession.”

Kim was commenting on latest figures which revealed the UK construction industry shed upwards of 400,000 workers during the downturn, with the same number again due to leave the industry over the next five years.

“Despite the shortfall in the workforce fewer than half of the UK’s construction companies are planning to take on apprentices, while two-fifths said they did not employ any apprentices at all.

“We took the decision five years ago to invest in a comprehensive apprenticeship programme in order to train the next generation of bricklayers, carpenters and electricians and this is certainly paying dividends for us now.”

Helm Construction’s highly acclaimed training programme is based on aiming all apprentices at the NVQ 3 grade rather than the standard NVQ 2. The scheme has been extended to include slightly older candidates, giving people a ‘second chance’ to gain the correct qualifications for a career in the industry.

For further information contact Helm Construction on 01454 634 020.