Earlier this year Weston College launched Constructing Lives Together in partnership with construction firm, Willmott Dixon, to support local adults in entering the construction industry and it is proving to be successful.

The exciting new initiative is something which is really benefiting the community. Not only are local people gaining the training required to enter the industry through short and sharp courses delivered onsite, but local construction firms are able to access a brand-new stream of employees – a well needed boost for construction employers, with the well reported skills shortages within the sector.

The initiative which is supporting people across the South West is being funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The free courses provide candidates with:

• Re-employment skills
• Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) certificates across a range of disciplines 
• Health and Safety in a Construction Environment Level 1 
• Work experience

One employer that has utilised the support of Constructing Lives Together, is Weston based Apache Construction. Director, Ryan Hedges, commented: “During the pandemic we lost some key workers, and we recognised that there was a gap in the market for reliable and like-minded staff. We got in touch with Weston College, who have supported us since we launched, and decided to get involved with the Constructing Lives Together programme.

“The programme has been fantastic for us. We have hired three people full-time in the last three months, all coming through the programme. Each recruit has been a real breath of fresh air for the organisation and are really supporting us with filling our skills gaps.

“It has offered us the opportunity to interview people practically, and has opened a brand-new talent pool, with our recruits hitting the ground running!”

Find out more about Constructing Lives Together, and how it can support you by clicking here.

Hear from each of the three successful Apache Construction recruits, in the video below.