Building skills in Luton’s industry

Zakar Hussain - picture by Grayling/ PAGE ONE

A MASSIVE Luton infrastructure project has celebrated the second year of its National Skills Academy for Construction.

In that time Luton Building Schools for the Future (BSF) has offered training and job opportunities to local people, including more than 50 construction and other apprenticeship places.

The 50th apprentice was Zak Hussain, 19, from the Farley Hill area of Luton, who has completed a two-year Business Administration apprenticeship with Wates Construction.

He is now on-site and training on-the-job to be section manager, while also studying for a degree in Construction Management at Anglia Ruskin University – funded by Wates Construction.

Zak said: “It provides great opportunities whatever trade or area you’re interested in – from bricklaying to management.

“You are extremely well looked after and everyone makes sure that you are armed with the skills to take you as far as you can go. I definitely want to stay with Wates and in 10 years aim to be a project manager.”

Zak enjoys directing labour and creating hazard and health and safety reports: “What I love most is that all the different subcontractors have to come together to make everything work – no group can do it alone and it’s all about teamwork.”

The Luton BSF programme, which was launched by CITB-ConstructionSkills and Wates Construction as a National Skills Academy for Construction in October 2009, has been a hub of activity for young people in the area.

The programme has offered apprenticeships, school and university visits and job opportunities.

As well as 53 construction and other apprenticeships the project has dealt with site visits for 127 students from schools, colleges and universities and recruited four university graduates into full-time, paid employment.

Ten NVQ qualifications have been started for subcontractor employees and there have been 24 business improvement training courses provided to local subcontractor employees.

Rohan Cheriyan, the National Skills Academy for Construction Performance Co-ordinator at CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: “I am delighted the Academy here in Luton is working so well.

“The National Skills Academy for Construction model allows training at all levels to be delivered on a local basis around major construction projects, rather than relying solely on classroom or college-based learning.

“This employer-led solution focuses on delivering the skills required by contractors and supply chain direct to their project, as and when they need it, as well as providing training for people in the local community.”

Trevor Clifton, construction manager for Wates Construction, added: “We are obviously thrilled at the success of the National Skills Academy in Luton.

“Wates are working on a variety of projects in Luton, and the Skills Academy has provided a place to give local people and our subcontractors training and business improvement skills.

“It was always our intention in Luton to not only build great buildings, but to leave a lasting legacy, and the Skills Academy is playing a big part in this.”