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Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
We transformed an old cow shed into an incredible Welsh home
We transformed an old cow shed into an incredible Welsh home 'You turn up and there's basically four walls and a tin shed roof hanging off it' The challenges are worth the effort when the result is this stunning conversion (Image: Adref Construction ) From a building with just four stone walls and an iron roof hanging off the structure to a stunning home that was a finalist in the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) 2025 Awards, this transformation project was always going to be a challenge. Hidden away off small country lanes and hard to locate in Pembrokeshire, open to the elements of wind, rain, and more rain, and literally just an empty stone shell waiting to be rescued and revived into life whilst complying fully with modern level of building regulations - who would take it on? Enter the 'dream team' of Luke Jones and Aled Harries, carpenters by trade but now specialists in project management and quantity surveying too that, when combined, have created the company Adref Construction, who have turned this rundown cow shed into an almost unrecognisable country home. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. READ MORE: The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden ALSO: Abandoned building in stunning location could be transformed into luxury holiday lodges The transformation of the empty cow shed, which more recently was a pottery, begins (Image: Adref Construction ) Article continues below Aled says: "It was a traditional project in keeping with the nature of the building; the latest we knew about its past was that it was an old pottery at that it was located on the outskirts of the Preseli mountains. "The character of the building and using traditional materials on it was quite special - we saw the plans and the detail from the architects Rural Office, which showed it was a very high spec project incorporating traditional materials, which takes time and effort but that was a big tick for us." Luke Jones and Aled Harries who established Adref Construction (Image: Adref Construction ) Luke adds: "W e've done quite a few jobs with this architect company and so we know the level of detail they're working to - it's high end stuff which means the client's expectations are high too. "When you turn up and there's basically four walls and a tin shed roof hanging off it you know there's a long journey ahead but it's very exciting and great to get going with a project like this." Aled and Luke, both aged 36 and from Croesgoch and Eglwyswrw respectively, are local and know the area well but not even that prepared them for the brutal weather that plagued the project as winter approached. Inside the former barn as the roof construction above progresses (Image: Adref Construction ) Luke says: "I think it was one of the wettest winters in a while - it seemed to rain from September to spring! So the weather was the main challenge of the project because of the traditional products we were using like lime for rendering and plastering. "It's hard to use the traditional materials in the depths of winter when it's either too wet or too cold but you come across issues with these old cowsheds along the way." From above the two different levels of roof and materials used plus the solar panels are revealed (Image: Adref Construction ) Where other people might have been worn down by the wild Welsh weather, the duo's joy of working on such a special building in such a glorious corner of Wales was a constant uplift. Aled says: "S ometimes the sun would be out, sometimes it would be snowing, it had very adverse weather but to be working here, on my doorstep, was special and very peaceful. "The section of the Preseli mountains you can see from the back of the barn is where my father's side of the family were brought up and where they would play when they were kids and it's where I'm from too, so that was quite special for me." Aled has a soft spot for the pink tiles in the bathroom (Image: Adref Construction ) Another aspect to the build that the pair had to contend with, as well as the weather, was lost delivery drivers. Aled says: " The back roads leading to it are not the usually back roads people would go on, a lot of people would get lost trying to find it - we had a bit of fun when we had people delivering to the property getting lost and trying to find them, but I think once you find this road, it's all fine." The barn conversion's main build challenge was not just about its age and condition, but also about combining history with modern additions and with eco-friendly features. Luke says: "W alls weren't built back then as they should be today, it was never meant to be lived in when it was built, so there were jobs such as underpinning the footings, rebuilding walls from bottom to top but making sure it looks like the original wall. Kitchen is also pretty in pink (Image: Adref Construction ) "The project was definitely more challenging than most because it is difficult to incorporate traditional methods such as lime, breathable products with new heating systems, underfloor heating and air source heat pump, insulation - but trying to couple that then with old stone walls - you've got to make the old building as newly insulated up to existing regulations without changing the look of it. "The architect comes up with a lot of it of course, but then we have the challenges working through it to comply with building regulations and make sure products are compatible - it is a challenge but it is definitely worth it because now when you go in there now it's really well insulated, feels really warm, and the client says the energy bills are low. The lounge is Luke's favourite space due to the its stone wall and exposed beam character (Image: Adref Construction ) "The primary heating source is an air source heat pump which is obviously electric but we're offsetting that electric demand with solar panels and wood fibre insulation, not oil based so a lot better for the environment during production, so all the walls internally are clad with that insulation and then lime plastered." When you are working on a building every day and it is your constant companion, in your thoughts as well as being your physical work place, some builders feel like they form a special bond and a unique relationship with it, and for Luke and Aled when the day finally came to hand over the barn keys to the owner, they felt 'a bit odd'. The log burner keeps the lounge cosy but so does the insulation, double-glazing and underfloor heating provided by a heat source pump (Image: Adref Construction ) Luke explains: " It's quite weird, you spend so much time there - every day for many months and give it your blood, sweat and tears and then you're handing the keys over, driving off and not coming back. B ut at the end of the day as long as the client and architect are happy - that's the main thing - and it's a good feeling to know that you're done a good job." You know when a builder has fallen a little bit in love with one of their projects when they find it hard to target their favourite aspect of the finished property, and so it is for Aled. He says: "Outside, it's the guttering! You wouldn't hear someone say guttering is one of their favourite parts of a project but I just think this detailing is fantastic, it goes with the red windows. It is aluminium guttering so modern but looks traditional. Even the smallest room in the converted barn has been given careful thought and design details (Image: Adref Construction ) "Internally, it's the pink tiles up in the ensuite - I don't think they'd be everyone's cup of tea but for some reason I really like them, it's a lovely room too, but the kitchen is nice too though." Aled mentions the guttering, downpipes and windows which illustrates the level of detail that went into converting this old barn, as he mentions the owner spent a lot of time researching and finding a tone of red as close to the traditional shade of Pembrokeshire red as possible. For Luke, his favourite space inside the barn is the lounge that boasts an exposed stone wall, a log burner, a large arched window and exposed A-frame at the top of the double-height space. The roof gets a special mention too, and so it should, with the two original different roofline levels kept and one given Welsh slate and the other a corrugated aluminium crown which brings the building's agricultural past centre stage into its future. The mix of stone, wood and metal window frames, guttering and downpipes coated in a shade of Pembrokeshire red is a visual treat (Image: Adref Construction ) Taking on a build that takes a ramshackle, empty former farm building and converts it into a home to have dreams about is a challenge, and the duo have some sound advice for anyone contemplating it. For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here Luke says: "Get the right architect, not every architect has the heritage skills and can produce the level of detail that Rural Office have, and then finding a building company that can work to the drawings because not everybody is able to work at this level of detail either. "Also, as a client, you need to have a flexible budget and be willing to spend for this level of detail because unfortunately it doesn't come cheap and be understanding of this." The builders fell in love with it, the client was thrilled, and the barn gets to live for many, many years to come (Image: Adref Construction ) Aled adds: "Take your time, go through the details with the architect and builders, don't jump straight in and then have regrets about your decisions. Budget is key and so we are always transparent about costs, we monitor it all and keep the client well informed, I think that's the key to our success." Article continues below The pair clearly know what they are talking about if the comments from the owner of this stunning barn are anything to go by, she says: "They are trustworthy, professional, and a pleasure to work with and have a rare eye for detail. We found working with Adref very easy, they stayed in contact with us and kept us in the loop with every stage of the building process and also a cost breakdown. We couldn't recommend them more highly." Find your own barn to convert or property for sale anywhere in Wales:
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
House ripped apart before being transformed into stunning award-winning home
House ripped apart before being transformed into stunning award-winning home From the dust and rubble, a stunning new home has emerged packed full of design detail and ideas to copy The house was completely ripped apart (Image: Atlantic Dwellings Limited ) Having building work done to your home can be stressful, especially when you are still living at the property, and in 2022 one family in Penarth were about to experience losing the whole rear section of their home whilst staying on site during the demolition and rebuild. But after nine months of living next to the project, Vale of Glamorgan-based Atlantic Dwellings Limited has created a stunning and surprising double-storey dream extension for them that has not only changed how they live but has also won a prestigious award for its creativity and build quality. The visually beautiful and yet practical rear extension to the traditional terrace home has been crowned the best medium sized renovation project in the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru 2025 awards, described by one of this year's judges as "an impressive project that stands out from the crowd". For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. But just as important to the project as the design and attention to the build that the award recognised is a company's relationship with the clients, especially if, such as in the case of the Penarth terrace, they stay living at the site while the project is delivered, often including demolition at the start of the transformation process. Inside the award-winning, two-storey extension packed with design ideas to love and steal (Image: Atlantic Dwellings Limited ) Along with fellow director Paul Tedder at Atlantic Dwellings Limited, Christian Bowerman explains that the ethos of the construction company is to have the highest regard for the clients during the project, that they are at the core and that communication is key. Article continues below He says: "Caring for the family and respecting the spaces that you leave them on site to live in - we are always very considerate of this, we always install a temporary kitchen so essentially they can try and live their lives as normally as possible while the work goes on - so typically transplant their existing dishwasher, work top, sink, oven and microwave - whatever we possibly can and suggest they buy a portable induction hob too. The first floor principal bedroom was gone as was the kitchen (Image: Atlantic Dwellings Limited ) "Whilst they do have to accept that their living space is reduced they don't feel displaced, they are still living in the home. "B roadly it's about a lot of care and consideration and treating the home you are in as if it were your own and it is your own family. "If you can plan so you can keep a family in a home during refurbishment then in actual fact, in our experience, overall they are much more comfortable and stress levels are much lower and ultimately the less you are stressing the family the better the working relationship will be." But this can be tested through a noisy and dirty demolition phase when the site looks a mess and a large chunk of the former home is gone. Christian says that when you're at the demolition phase of the project you need to be very careful otherwise you can damage another element of the building or take something down that was unnecessary, or someone on the team gets hurt - a lot of planning and consideration needs to happen. The result of the nine-month project is an award-winning home (Image: Atlantic Dwellings Limited ) He said: "With this particular project we were trying to retain more than we ended up retaining. "It was better to take down more than we had originally thought and these decisions always need to be done in conjunction with the client or homeowner and explained carefully. "Generally our experience is so long as you are considerate, explain why it needs to happen and what the benefits are, the pros and cons, people are very supportive of our approach. "The home owners were slightly alarmed when they saw how much had gone but they totally understood." The new first floor bedroom has a bonus mezzanine level (Image: Atlantic Dwellings Limited ) The new two-storey rear extension is not what you might expect. It is certainly not a standard build, as well as being packed with many creative ideas to find and admire and maybe even copy. There's a new, open-plan kitchen diner that opens out onto the garden but maybe it's the new en-suite bedroom that is the surprise. It is designed into the side of the structure on the first floor and includes not only some eye-catching unusually shaped windows but also a bonus upper level. The view from the mezzanine highlights the eye-catching geometric windows in this new bedroom (Image: Atlantic Dwellings Limited ) Christian says that this bonus mezzanine level was a challenge that was definitely worth the effort, creating an extra space for working or relaxing in an area that would have been dead space, and that the view of the roof structure, geometric windows and the bedroom below is the extra visual reward for climbing the ladder. But Christian says the mezzanine is just one of a number of features to highlight that makes this home special. He says: "There are many extra design elements like the LED strip light that runs in-between the two steel beams and the countertop that just flows into the floating kitchen window. These features are not about spending money, they are about really thinking hard about how you put things together and again that takes great planning. He goes on to say that the easier path is to not have any of those technical interactions between, for example a window and a worktop because you have to be millimetre perfect, there can't be a mistake, but the result of this extra design detail is worth it. One key element of the ground floor design was the visually appealing ceiling above the dining area, replacing a standard and, some might say, boring flat ceiling with a design feature that gives the space extra life - the exposed beam structure. Christian explains: "Architects call that expressed ceiling joists and what you get through this really neat design is the most incredible shadows cast through the day's sun as it pours through the roof light, like a sundial effect." The expressed ceiling joists creates a moving 'sundial lighting effect' below (Image: Atlantic Dwellings Limited ) It's the crowning glory of the space that is Christian's favourite area within the home. He says: "I really like the shared kitchen living space. "I think being able to share time making and eating food with family and friends is a really nice thing to do but it's even better when you have a nice space to do it in. "The polished concrete floor is a victory, i t's an expensive thing and it's not something that you can change easily, but it creates an industrial look that has worked really well." But it's the way the project has transformed the homeowners' lives and the demonstration of what can be done at a modest family home that Christian is most pleased with. He says: "In a classic turn of the century terrace house there's something quite magical about having the combination of the original with the new, a beautifully well-built period property combined with an amazing modern space attached. "This is very much a 'one-off' house to this family and a one-off certainly to this street, if not this area, and that's the difference between doing this to a period property compared to opting to buy a new house that's been built by a national home builder. "Big is not better, we firmly believe that. T his is your typical terraced home which this project shows can be totally transformed." Article continues below Attention to detail during the project such as the worktop floating seamlessly into the protruding window helped clinch the award (Image: Atlantic Dwellings Limited ) Christian says the homeowners were " really, really tickled" by their home winning the FMB award and are planning to attend the UK final with the company in September, but for the team who worked on the project it was also a fantastic outcome in the face of stiff competition. Christian says: "It was an absolute delight and a surprise too, because there are some great tradespeople and companies in Wales, so it's a thanks to our business but especially to our team because without them, we couldn't do anything." For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
This is the best kitchen in Wales
This is the best kitchen in Wales It's an award-winning stunner and designer Dorian is happy to share its secrets to help inspire you to create your own version This award-winning kitchen diner can inspire you to give yours a luxury makeover using some clever design tips (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) Has the idea of a perfectly designed kitchen ever preoccupied your thoughts? If that is the case, this luxury kitchen hiding somewhere within the suburban streets of Cardiff is going to keep you awake at night. Are you regularly looking at gorgeous kitchens online with the idea of finding inspiration and maybe a few clever ideas to potentially pinch for your own space? Then surely the kitchen crowned the best in Wales in 2025 in the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru annual awards can help get your creative juices flowing? Packed with design ideas and luxury additions this visually stunning and yet ultra-practical kitchen diner might even help you produce your own slice of luxury if you don't have the budget to employ multi award-winning, Penarth-based design and build company Project One. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. READ MORE: Incredible transformation in £1m Cardiff home from bland to bold on a budget YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: We spent £1.2m turning this unremarkable bungalow into a dream home The kitchen had to reflect the needs of the client including a breakfast bar (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) Article continues below But creating such a stunning space that resulted in the kitchen winning the FMB award, and now being entered into the FMB national UK competition, is a huge undertaking that founder and director at Project One Dorian Bowen says took a year just to design, plan and evolve into the space the delighted homeowners describe as 'incredible'. There's much to consider about creating your perfect space, including any structural work and building elements to a project as well as the finished visual look and atmosphere of the space, but Dorian says the starting point is to think about you, your life, and how you want to use the space. He explains: "Think about what you need - so for me I know I need a a Quooker tap, two Gaggenau ovens, and one of them with a pizza stone in because I love cooking pizza, pizza night is a regular thing, if people are coming over we'll be having pizza - so that's really important for me. The use of different materials and textures was key to the design (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) "The other main thing that I need is being able to interact with my family while I'm cooking, so I need a kitchen that connects spaces together so we can meet and eat as a family, as a community, as a unit in a space that offers an amazing experience, so that I want to be in it again. "Then comes the aesthetic, so my kitchen doesn't have any cabinets. I've got a huge island and then lots of hidden wall storage. The whole island is open so I can see everything and get to everything while I'm cooking and everything else is hidden behind doors - it's all designed in a way that considers 'where do I want to grab things from?'" Dorian thinks a kitchen should be about what you actually need and what the space will give you but also about expressing yourself after you've had time to research and fully plan how the room will work for you. The ceiling has visual interest but practical elements too, such as the plaster detailing on the boxed in steel beams (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) He says: "T ake your time and do your research. This kitchen took a year to design and plan and went through constant evolution. Don't try and do it all at once, put time into it, think about things and do it in stages - so do the layout, then at another time work on the elevations, then think about the lighting, and then think about colours and textures." While many people are delighted with a standard kitchen from a national brand, with the substantial amount of inspiration to explore online via Pinterest, interior websites and social media, there's never been a better or easier time to make your kitchen reflect your personal style. Dorian says: "I would suggest you customise, at least think about it. If you're buying a new kitchen, think what can I do to it - is there a section where I can put a different door on, is there a section I can put mirrors on, what can I physically do to it? Maybe think outside the box if you want to make it more individual, especially when it comes to surface materials. The dining area is connected to the kitchen not just physically but visually too through use of materials, shapes, colours and the flow of the curved wall. (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) "W here can you add elements of fun, function, and design? Express yourself! T rends are for t-shirts, if you want an eternal kitchen do the Fleetwood Mac thing and 'go your own way'. Kitchen trends are there literally to keep people buying and updating." Looking at the award-winning kitchen is a feast for the eyes as well as a place to create delicious meals, with so many elements to find and admire including the use of seven materials to create texture - from reflective to matt, natural to metallic. The use of curves is one of the elements of design that Project One likes to favour as a practical solution to eliminate hard edges and angles and in this kitchen you'll see it echoed throughout the space - the wall, the table, the island unit, even within the ceiling design. Lighting is of course key in a kitchen space and Dorian suggests thinking of the layers as going back to how people used to live, relying on sunlight for the overall light, moonlight for the mood, and fire to illuminate nearby tasks. Dor ian suggests that if possible investing in a feature light to add a stand-out statement to the space will add an extra layer of interest, and in this space it's a Lee Broom designed structure hanging over the dining table that Project One customised by changing the base that attaches the light to the ceiling from plain to mirrored. Thought was given to how the kitchen connects to other spaces including the garden (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) The space of course needs to be attractive but for Dorian what makes this kitchen a higher level of design for him is its usability - it's a practical space that can be used without any worries about damaging anything. He says they design kitchens so they are 'bomb proof' and the usability is high. Dorian says: "We've used Rimex not brass on the kitchen island as it is very hardwearing, it's a synthetic brass that cannot stain, never needs to be treated and will never tarnish, it will always look like brass. T he kitchen doors are made from hotel standard Italian hardwood and much of the design is not interlocking so you can take a section out and replace it." The curved wall hides a door to the utility room plus a bar area handily placed near the dining area and sunken into the wall. (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) Dorian says that design can also, of course, be used in a thoughtful one to create visual interest, connect elements within a space but crucially solve problems too. The kitchen diner build required a significant amount of steelwork to support the upper floor but instead of simply boxing in the new beams the team created a vertical plasterwork design that mimics that of the slatted wall, creating a relationship between these two elements of the design and ensuring the ceiling area had added visual interest. The slatted, curved wall is not there just to look amazing but it is practical too, hiding an integrated door that leads to the secret utility room as well as a home to a bar area sunken into the wall around the corner from the kitchen and handily positioned next to the dining area. It's this connection of spaces that Dorian says is also important - how does your kitchen space relate to the rest of your home and that successful design is also thoughtful as to how you use the space during the day, evening and even at night. Statement lights in both zones ensure the ceiling is incorporated into the design scheme (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) He says: "The kitchen design was driven towards family interaction so at the island you've got the seating section so while you're cooking you can chat to the family, and then in terms of the wider space you've obviously got the dining section that leads out onto the garden patio. "Then segregated away from the kitchen so you can't see it at all times is the bar area. So if you're cooking breakfast you're not looking at alcohol but if you have people around for dinner and they're sat around the big table they're close to the bar section. "There's the hidden door to the utility room and while you're in the kitchen you can open the double doors and you've got seamless access into the cinema room, so you can have the kids sitting on the sofas watching TV and you can open the sliding doors while you cook or have a drink from the bar. So think about how your kitchen connects to other spaces in your home." The room is now going to represent Wales in the UK Federation of Master Builders' awards final (Image: Project One / Matt Cant Photography ) Dorian and the team at Project One are thrilled at winning the FMB Cymru award for best kitchen in Wales 2025 and are excited to be representing the nation at the national FMB competition in September. He says: "For us this is not a job, it's a dedication and it's a choice that we've made that we put before other elements of our life and so it is really nice to put so much of yourself into something and to have it recognised by your contemporaries and to have it also acknowledged that not only have we designed it really well but we've also built it really well - it's about as good as it gets." That is echoed by the anonymous owners of Wales' best kitchen who, Dorian says, were mesmerised by their new kitchen diner when it was finally revealed and are 'over the moon with the award win' and that 'every person who visits wants one' and using the design as inspiration and using some of the ideas Dorian has highlighted, maybe they can create their own version of Project One luxury. For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here. Find your own unique property with a lush kitchen for sale here: Article continues below
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Solar panel installations surged 41% last month as households look to cut bills
The number of households installing solar panels surged last month, according to new data. More than 17,000 households installed solar panels in March, according to Coventry Building Society - a 41 per cent increase on the same month last year when around 12,200 were installed. In 2025 so far, solar panels have been installed on more than 45,000 homes - an increase of 28.6 per cent. The rate of installations peaked in 2011 with more than 200,000 installations during the year. This followed the launch of the feed-in tariff scheme, which meant solar panel users could export excess energy back to the grid and get paid for it. This dipped in subsequent years when Government support was scaled back but it has rebounded recently. Sophie Mason of Coventry Building Society said: 'Whether people are looking to do their bit for the planet or keep their energy bills down, solar panels are proving to be a popular investment. 'The momentum we're seeing now seems to be driven by consumers looking for long-term solutions amid rising energy bills and growing climate awareness. 'While the upfront cost can be a barrier, it's important to view solar panels as a long-term investment and remember there are schemes available which can help.' How much money do solar panels save? The main drawback of installing solar panels is the upfront cost. A typical three-bedroom home installing a 4.5kW system will have to fork out £7,500 for installation, according to the Federation of Master Builders, rising to £9,800 if they also want a battery to store excess power. That means it could take 12.7 years to break even or 10 years with a solar battery included. It takes fewer years to make your money back with a battery, as stored energy can be saved and used at times when the cost of power is highest. For most households, the main benefit is that installing solar panels can save hundreds of pounds a year on bills. A typical three bedroom home installing a 4.5kW system will save £261 a year on energy bills, the Federation of Master Builders says. This saving could be increased to £579 for households that use the Government's Smart Export Guarantee scheme. This allows households to earn a passive income from their solar panels by selling power back to the grid. This can be further helped by buying a solar battery. Solar batteries allow households to store the excess energy they generate. The FMB says the average household can earn around £75 annually by installing a solar battery. This month, the energy price cap which governs gas and electricity bills for those on variable tariffs went up by £111 per year for the typical home to £1,849. It is the third time in a row that the price cap, which is reassessed by Ofgem every three months, has gone up. Best mortgage rates and how to find them Mortgage rates have risen substantially over recent years, meaning that those remortgaging or buying a home face higher costs. That makes it even more important to search out the best possible rate for you and get good mortgage advice. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you To help our readers find the best mortgage, This is Money has partnered with the UK's leading fee-free broker L&C. This is Money and L&C's mortgage calculator can let you compare deals to see which ones suit your home's value and level of deposit. You can compare fixed rate lengths, from two-year fixes, to five-year fixes and ten-year fixes. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use This is Money and L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and LC
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Construction is a great career, not a last resort'
A building industry leader is calling for more people to consider a career in construction Carr, the Grimsby-based president of the Federation of Master Builders, said it was time to stop thinking about the sector as a "last resort".The Construction Industry Training Board has said the UK needs more than 250,000 extra workers by 2028."We need to educate the parents to understand that it's a great career to have," Mr Carr said. Other European countries had a higher opinion of tradespeople, but "in the UK it's still seen as not a great place to be", Mr Carr added."I think if you look at the schools they see it as a career of last resort."The government recently announced a £600m investment over the next four years to train up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said a lack of skilled workers was a "major barrier" to the government plans to grow the economy."These measures will break down barriers to opportunity for thousands of young people, helping them to thrive in – and build – their local communities," she plans include "skills bootcamps" and 10 new technical excellence Carr said Lincolnshire should be bidding to host one of the new colleges."We've got a great ability, we've got some great schools that can teach and send young pupils through," he said."Make it a career destination, not just a career of last resort."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
