Bramall training programme wins top award

Bramall Construction, part of the Keepmoat Group, has won a prestigious National Training Award for a pioneering programme aimed at plugging skills gaps in the construction industry.

Bramall joined forces with Wakefield-based Chevin Housing Association in 2006 to develop the ground-breaking Kendray Bungalows Training Scheme.

Fifty trainees were given the chance to learn skills such as bricklaying and joinery by building two new Extra Care bungalows for older people in the Kendray area of Barnsley.

Now Bramall, which carries out new build and refurbishment work for Chevin, has won the Yorkshire and Humber regional section of the National Training Awards.

This was achieved in the Partnership and Collaboration category of the finals held last night (September 30) in Leeds.

Julie Fuller, Training Officer for Bramall, said: "This superb partnership between Bramall and Chevin has now been rightly recognised for its contribution to boosting skills and training in the construction industry".

""We established the programme because recent years have seen growing evidence of a shortage of the skilled workers including bricklayers, joiners, plasterers, plumbers, roofers, window fitters, electricians and painters and decorators, which the housing industry needs.

"The Kendray Bungalows Training Scheme gives trainees the chance to learn these skills on a real project.

Learners were drawn from a range of backgrounds, with many starting the programme with few skills, little employment experience and possible social problems too.

Of the 50 trainees who completed the training, 10 students made rapid progress and were fast-tracked into high quality craftsman careers.

The scheme allowed 42 trainees from Bramall to achieve NVQ Level 2 qualifications, and 15 to achieve NVQ Level 3 grades.

In total, 45 have gone into full-time jobs.

"The Kendray Training Scheme has made a significant contribution to addressing the construction skills shortage in South Yorkshire," said Julie.

"It has transformed the lives of a number of individuals who had backgrounds and qualifications not normally deemed appropriate for apprenticeship training - including trainees above normal starting ages, disabled trainees and some without formal qualifications".

Brian Crawshaw, Bramall's Contracts Director, said: "All the work has now finished and the residents have moved into the Kendray bungalows scheme".

""It's a fantastic achievement, which has resulted in beautiful homes for the elderly residents who now live there, as well as the successful training of a large group of people"".

"Vicky Fenton, Senior Housing Officer from Chevin Housing said: "Everyone has benefited, including residents who are delighted with the high standard of finish to their homes".

""We are proud to be associated with this initiative and pleased that Bramall has been recognised for their pioneering approach to training".

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