Wiltshire firms welcome job opportunities in building sector
A recruitment drive in the building sector has been welcomed by the Minister of State for Industry.
The initiative, led by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), aims to attract skilled workers to the industry, including in Wiltshire.
The Building Materials Careers programme, launched earlier this year, is part of a broader effort to address recruitment challenges in the sector.
The initiative is part of a cross-industry collaboration involving more than 1,000 companies in the £51 billion sector.
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The campaign aims to attract school leavers, trainees, Armed Forces veterans, and career changers to the industry.
BMF members have shared their career journeys on the bmcareers.com website to showcase the opportunities available in the sector.
The website also lists current vacancies in the industry.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: "Manufacturers, suppliers, and merchants in Wiltshire's building materials sector need to be considered as the lifeblood of the construction industry, and our members are laying the groundwork now for the scale-up required to meet Government targets.
"Increased amounts of building materials from bricks and mortar to plasterboard and fixings will be needed by the construction industry if it is to meet the government's pledged 1.5 million homes."
The Building Materials Careers programme builds on the success of the BMF's Apprenticeship Pledge, which exceeded its target of securing 15,000 apprenticeship places within the sector by 2030, five years ahead of schedule.
Minister of State for Industry, Sarah Jones MP, said: "We are aware of the scale of the skills and workforce challenge in the construction sector and are working to address this across government.
"Initiatives such as the 'Make a Material Difference' campaign and the BMF Apprenticeship Pledge are helpful examples of existing industry programmes in this space, given the importance of both attracting new entrants to the sector and retaining them."
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David Young, chief executive at BMF member company Bradfords, which operates across Wiltshire, said: "It is positive to see the Building Materials initiative gaining traction at the highest levels.
"It was a no-brainer for Bradfords to be involved."
John Carter, chief executive of STARK Building Materials UK Ltd, added: "Being a professional tradesperson takes a high degree of skill that is often misunderstood and overlooked when you consider a completed building project.
"The campaign complements the work that STARK UK is doing to promote and support the many opportunities in our sector."
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