The hub is the first of 12 being rolled out nationwide by NHBC, part of a 拢100m UK wide programme designed to support the planned delivery of 1.5m new homes by the end of this term of parliament. The programme aims to train 3,000 apprentices a year, across the country, in real site conditions.
Land for the first hub was provided by house builder Redrow at its Curborough Lakes development. The launch was marked by the graduation of the first cohort of apprentices. The NHBC said this group achieved a 93% pass rate, including four distinctions and nine first-time passes, significantly higher than the 53% industry average reported by the Department for Education.
Roger Morton, director of business change at NHBC, said, 鈥淭he hubs will train apprentices in the most critical house-building trades in conditions that mirror real construction sites. Apprentices learn outdoors and gain quality, practical experience from day one rather than spending most of their time in a classroom.
鈥淥ur training allows apprentices to qualify in as little as 14 months, almost half the time of many traditional training routes, helping the industry bring skilled, site-ready workers into the workforce faster.
鈥淗ouse building is facing a triple challenge. We need to build more homes, improve quality and address a serious skills shortage. When all 12 hubs are open, we will be delivering up to 3,000 skilled apprentices every year in the areas where they are needed most.鈥�
Tim Balcon, CEO of the 萝莉原创 Industry Training Board (CITB), said, 鈥溌芾蛟� is facing one of the biggest workforce challenges in its history. If we are serious about delivering 1.5 million new homes, we must significantly increase the number of people entering the industry and make sure they are trained to a high standard. What鈥檚 particularly encouraging about the NHBC Training Hub model is the focus on practical, site-based learning and getting apprentices job-ready more quickly, without compromising quality.鈥�