BEIS Minister for Industry kicks off National Apprentice Week by meeting apprentices working in the home improvement sector
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The National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) host Industry Minister Lee Rowley on a tour of Ideal Standard, the only remaining manufacturer of sanitary ware in the UK, where he met with apprentices from all parts of the repair, maintenance, and home improvement sector.
James Binstead, Apprentice Building Control Surveyor told the Minister “Being part of a low carbon future is really motivating. Helping people understand how improving their homes can making a huge impact on the planet is inspiring”
Harvey Ringwood, construction trainee from Avondale Construction said “I love working in the building trade, every day is different, I get to see all parts of the construction sector within my role”
Curtis Zanetti, also from Avondale Construction told the Minister “I feel as though I’m really building my future by working in construction, it’s not just a job, I know what I do makes a difference and I feel as though I’m going places”.
The NHIC is the umbrella organisation for the UK repair, maintenance, and home improvement sector, and works across its membership, broader industry, and government to improve the nation’s homes together.
NHIC members have been part of the team that has already delivered 200,000 upgrades throughout the pandemic and are committed members of the supply chain ready to continue and increase delivery.
Growth in general home improvements was strong in 2021 and that is expected to continue over the next 12-24 months. The challenge is to convert that general demand into getting homes on their journey to being net zero ready, as well as levelling up nationally remains an opportunity to be realised.
The NHIC believes the best solution to this is to mobilise and increase the last mile of delivery – the 1 million plus micro - SME and sole traders who work across all home improvement sectors and have established and trusted relationships with their customers. A key way to do that is to increase the number of apprentices and trainees entering the sector each year.
Industry Minister Lee Rowley said: “Marking the start of National Apprenticeship Week, I was hugely encouraged to hear the positive stories from apprentices on a brilliant visit to Ideal Standard today. We understand the need to further increase the number of places for apprentices in the home improvement sector and I look forward to working closely with businesses and industry to find ways of achieving that.”
Anna Scothern, Chief Executive of the NHIC said “If we are to meet carbon targets and build a safe future for our children, we must act now to decarbonise existing homes. Not only will it be better for the planet, but it will also be better for our pockets too. An efficient home is more comfortable and costs less to run”
National Apprenticeships Week runs from 7th – 13th February and brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity apprenticeships bring.
The theme for NAW22 is “Build the Future” and so it is fitting the Minister for Industry Lee Rowley MP chose to open the week by meeting apprentices from the home improvement sector – the sector which has so much to offer in support of the governments “build back better” and “levelling up” campaigns.
08-02-2022
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