Briggsy’s Property Blog: The trainees building for the future

WITH more bleak news about the dearth of homeowners because of a dwindling supply of residential properties hitting the headlines this week, it’s refreshing to be able to report on some relatively positive news from the building industry.

Six Leeds College of Building trainees across brickwork, tiling, plastering, roof slating and cabinet making are preparing have made it through to the UK final of Britain’s biggest construction skills competition – SkillBuild 2011.

The competition is managed by CITB-ConstructionSkills, the sector skills council and industry training board for the construction industry, and endorsed by WorldSkills UK.
 
Ok, so this clearly isn’t going to change the world and you’re probably thinking so what about this half dozen’s achievement.

But as Steve Housden, sector strategy manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills in Yorkshire and the Humber, says, it is competitions like this that will help new blood get the best possible start in the building industry when conditions improve.

The competition is also an example of how initiatives like this one are helping promote apprenticeships for youngsters who don’t see further education – with its escalating costs – as a choice for them.

And it is these people who will be needed to help fill the skills gap when economic conditions improve. 

“At a time when the news pages are full of stories about the need for construction companies to take on apprentices, SkillBuild is a great opportunity for colleges and companies to show off their talent and enhance their reputation by demonstrating that their construction training is top quality,” says Steve,
 
“This year’s final promises to be better than ever before. All trainees who have taken part in the competition have been outstanding and it showcases the professionalism and quality of the UK construction industry, which will help in our efforts to attract new recruits into the industry.”

Danny Withington, Harry Coyle, Russell Gill, Thomas Harrison, Timothy Howarth and Kevin Barker have all secured their places at the UK final at Leeds College of Building following champion performances at the Yorkshire regional heat. They will be joined at this year’s SkillBuild final by more than 100 trainees from across the country.
 
The Leeds College of Building finalists are among eight trainees from the Yorkshire region who successfully won places at the UK final, which takes place in September. 

Let’s hope their fine example is rewarded with an upturn in the housing sector.
 
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ONE man who you wouldn’t want to mess with on the building site is Linden Homes’ Rod Latham.

The site manager was probably already a pretty imposing figure when he took his job at the housebuilder following a successful professional rugby union career.

But since retiring from the sport four years ago, Rod (pictured above) has taken up powerlifting and has now been named a national champion in the pursuit.

The 43-year-old lifted the coveted title at the recent British Masters Powerlifting Championships, beating off competition from around 15 other hopefuls.

Rod, who is based at Linden Homes’ King Edgars Court development in Howden, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won – all the hard work and training has been worthwhile.

“I lifted weights as part of my rugby training, but when I retired I went on to powerlifting. I used to go to a gym but now train four days a week at my garage-turned-gym. I’ve always enjoyed keeping fit and the powerlifiting certainly helps with my day job.”

He can comfortably lift 210kg bench press, 320kg squat and 320kg deadlift.