NCBF has experienced effective change in recent years with the Apprenticeship Bursary Scheme being a major route to support members. The scheme was introduced as an initiative to help companies recruiting apprentices to ease the uncertainty of budget and reduce the skills shortage in the industry.
Below some of the member companies who have been funded via the NCBF grant provide their feedback on the NCBF Bursary:
“On behalf of our company and our apprentice Reece Richardson we would like to thank NCBF for the support given prior to and during his apprenticeship. As you know we have struggled to increase our qualified workforce over many years through outside recruitment and this has grew even worse in recent years. We have always recognised the importance of apprentices within our company and having ‘home grown’ talent and with the apparent increased lack of tradespeople and increased demand on tradespeople the ‘apprenticeship route’ has become even more necessary.
“Financial restraints in recent years and the investment needed to see through an apprenticeship program is a considerable commitment for us but with the financial support of NCBF funding it made this possible for us once again. Reece is now qualified and his increased wage recognises his qualifications, his effort and the experience he has and will continue to gain. We will continue to encourage him to improve his skill base to not only to benefit himself and our company but also for the benefit of our industry.
“The support NCBF has provided is therefore much appreciated by all of us.”
Del Phoenix, managing director, M.J.Phoenix & Son Ltd
“On behalf of Classic Masonry Limited, I would like to express our appreciation for the apprentice bursary grant we received in 2019. Shay Bambrough, our apprentice, has received his NVQ2 in Stone Fixing and is a welcome addition to one of our site teams where he continues to develop his knowledge and skills working with more experienced employees.
“We firmly believe traditional apprenticeships are necessary to ensure skilled workers for the future and we have committed to continuing to employ apprentices. We have recently employed a 16-year-old to put through a bricklaying apprenticeship.
“Once again, thank you for your support.”
Heather Bradner, business development manager, Classic Masonry Limited
Neil Ramsey, NCBF secretary, commented:
“As a serving member of the NCBF management commitee for over 20 years and more recently as secretary, it is rewarding and gratifying to be provided with such positive feedback. I am really pleased we have been able to support apprentice training programmes.”
NCBF continue to support member companies and their apprentices through the bursary scheme and work alongside partner companies to encourage more young people to join the construction industry.
To find out more about the NCBF Apprentice Bursary Scheme please send an email to: nramsey@btinternet.com
