30 January 2012
YOU’RE HIRED!
LOCAL MP CONOR BURNS IS CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICE FOR ADAY
Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, Alderney and Branksome East,has rolled up his sleevesto become a construction apprentice for the day at the site of the Old Post Office in Bournemouth last week.
The event, which was organised by CITB-ConstructionSkills in partnership withGreendale Construction and the Federation of Master Builders, is one of several events around the UK that celebrate the achievements and skills of apprentices in the run up to National Apprenticeship Week (6 – 10 February 2012).
The aim of National Apprenticeship Week is to highlight the talents and skills of apprentices and encourage young people and employers to think about how an apprenticeship could benefit them. To support that celebration and raise awareness the Bournemouth West MP tried his hand at several apprenticeship activities on site.
Conor Burns MP said: “I really enjoyed experiencing first-hand what an apprenticeship involves. I have been campaigningwith CITB-ConstructionSkills and the FMB to highlight the crucial role apprenticeships play in providing lasting and successful careers in industries such as construction and the benefits quality apprentices bring to employers. It’s never been more importantto support and encourage more young people and employers to participate in and facilitate apprenticeships.”
Roger Stone OBE, Sector Strategy Manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills said:‘’Apprentices are the lifeblood of the construction industry. I hope that by working with Conor, Greendale and the Federation of Master Builders today, we can encourage other employers across Dorset to support apprenticeship training and prepare the industry’s future workforce. We will also be working closely with the Dorset Local Authorities to embed local employment and skills plans into their procurement supply chains, including apprenticeships and work experience for schools’’
Greendale Construction, currently working on the redevelopment of the Old Post Office is an ardent supporter of apprenticeships and are currently training apprentices on site, as they have done many times in the past. The contractor’s Director Chris Kane commented: “Apprenticeships are vital to our success. There is simply no substitute to the on-site experience an apprenticeship offers, giving us the opportunity to work directly with a trainee in developing the quality skills we need to deliver ambitious projectsfrom the restoration of Durlston castle to our work here today on the Old Post Office.
“I think Conor enjoyed his time on site and hope he can continue to work hard with CITB-ConstructionSkills and our federation, the FMB, to ensure continued backing for this important industry and the skills we need to grow.”
CITB-ConstructionSkills is supporting National Apprenticeship Week as part of its Positive Image campaign, which works with employers and federations to help attract quality entrants into the sector to ensure that the industryhas the right skills in place to stimulate growth locally and nationally
Apprenticeship Week, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), highlights the skills apprentices can develop, the career opportunities available and bring together apprentices, employers, providers and all those involved with Apprenticeship programmes.
Ends
For further information or photography from the day, please contact Jemma Walsh on 0300 456 5401 or by email at
For information regarding Greendale Construction please contact P-PR Media Solutions T 01202 896698 or or visit
Notes to editors:
About National Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Week, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), aims to highlight the talents and skills apprentices can achieve, and brings together apprentices, employers, providers and all those involved with Apprenticeship programmes to celebrate the value and benefits of Apprenticeships.
About CITB-ConstructionSkills
CITB-ConstructionSkills is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) and Industry Training Board (ITB) for the construction industry, working to deliver a safe, professional and fully qualified UK construction workforce – Working with construction companies to help them improve skills to increase their competitive edge.
About Greendale Construction Ltd.
Established in Poole, Dorset, in 1990, Greendale Construction Limited offers all aspects of construction work - from new-build, refurbishment and conservation, to repairs, maintenance and special works. In addition, Greendale specialises in carrying out refurbishment or fit out works within commercial properties.
About the Federation of Master Builders
The FMB is the UK's largest trade association in the building sector, established 70years ago to protect the interests of small and medium-sized building firms.The FMB provides professional advice and support for its members, from a range of modern and relevant business building services to lobbying for members' interests at both national and local levels.