Anne Milne, Redrow: NHBC's Apprenticeship Scheme

NHBC launched its new training hub in the West Midlands earlier this summer, which will help develop the next generation of skilled tradespeople starting out in house building. The NHBC training hub in Tamworth has been built in partnership with Redrow and Tamworth Borough Council, with input from an industry working group.

The training hub, which will be able to support more than 100 apprentice bricklayers annually, is a purpose-built facility that will immerse apprentices in a realistic working environment. Anna Milne, Redrow’s Head of Talent explains how the company’s set of five apprentices have found the new facility.

“Firstly, we are delighted to be working in collaboration with NHBC and Tamworth Borough Council to provide this vital training space for our industry’s budding young skilled professionals. And after a couple of months, we can now see first-hand how the apprentices have found the course. 

"Overall, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from all taking part with all of them benefitting from a simulated work environment, which will ultimately mean they are able to make a smooth transition back to site."

The front loaded flow of the training also means that they will hit the ground running once they leave the new facility. The skilled and experienced staff are really helping develop the apprentices knowledge, skills and behaviours – even over this short space of time.

The fully rounded training is also aimed to make the apprentices into not simply good bricklayers, but good employees and people as well. All of the facilities are well kept and we believe this programme could be the model for bricklaying apprenticeships across the UK.

Feedback from my peers at other builders has also been positive, from being on site and speaking with the assessors, the apprentices are all really benefitting from being among the first apprentices to experience this unique training opportunity.”