£430m hospital project opens door to 180 apprentices

This is an employer-led approach to construction training which is being rolled out at 37 significant high profile construction projects across the UK – although the Southmead project is a first for the healthcare sector and only the second to be granted academy status in the South West.

 

CITB-ConstructionSkills is working closely with Carillion – the lead contractor on the site – to develop a dedicated employment and skills plan for the scheme, to help promote employment offers, as well as the education insight to the construction industry with local schools and colleges. 

 

It is hoped that as many as 180 apprentices will be recruited on the project over the next three years.

 

Gary Hewison, National Skills Academy for Construction Performance Co-ordinator for the South at CITB-ConstructionSkills said:  “We are delighted to make this announcement and to be working with Carillion and Southmead Hospital to deliver this National Skills Academy for Construction project.  The academy will provide much needed on-site training and help to ensure that building projects leave a legacy of skills for the future. With business and government in partnership we can raise skills levels across the economy, sector by sector, ensuring we can compete effectively in a rapidly changing global economy."

 

Carillion's Southmead project director Keith Hutton said: “The NSAfC scheme is an excellent fit with our specific project aim of creating employment opportunities for local people and providing them with the skills training that our industry needs.”

 

Tricia Down, deputy director of projects at North Bristol Trust which runs Southmead Hospital, added: “The Trust was clear from the outset that, in the development of the new hospital, a strong focus should be placed on the use of local employment and skills development in the construction work to benefit the local community.”