With a real focus on ensuring the future success of the construction industry through comprehensive training and personal development, Keyfix takes great pride in offering specialist and accredited apprenticeship programmes.

Keen to reduce the current skills shortage facing the industry and very aware of the need to encourage and support more young professionals into the built environment, Keyfix is providing support to various apprenticeship and training programmes to give apprentices real opportunities to further their skills, knowledge and expertise. This is offered through on-the-job training and access to the most innovative and very latest products and techniques.

While the aforementioned skills shortage means the encouragement, nurturing, and support of apprentices and talented young professionals requires a year-round focus, National Apprenticeship Week, running from 10th February to 16th February, is an ideal opportunity to highlight the necessity for manufacturers and contractors to do more.

Mentor Me

With that in mind, the non-combustible cavity tray (NCCT) specialists, Keyfix, announced an ongoing partnership with Lyons & Annoot on their MentorMe apprenticeship programme in 2022. This initiative was set up by brickwork contractor Lyons & Annoot to provide a wide range of learning opportunities in specialisms where apprentices and trainees would be utilising the modern masonry solutions offered by Keyfix and sister company, Keystone Lintels.

Encompassing a myriad of masonry building techniques and skills, the MentorMe apprenticeship programme helps apprentices gain practical experience in using contemporary masonry systems, such as Non-combustible Cavity Tray Systems and Hi-therm+ lintels. Alongside practical training, apprentices are also given access to informative and tailored webinars and toolbox talk presentations that cover a wide range of topics, such as an overview of Approved Document B in relation to Fire Safety, and innovations in thermal bridging and lintels.

Keyskills

With there likely to be around 244,000 qualified apprentices needed to fill the skills gap by 2032, Keystone Group brands Keyfix, IG Masonry Support, and Keystone Lintels, developed their own apprenticeship support programme, Keyskills. Keyskills is open to the construction industry and offers a great opportunity to provide key training support and materials to assist apprentices and students in bricklaying training. This educational programme showcases a wide range of construction methods through free training materials and support while attempting to relieve financial pressures on educational establishments across the UK. Colleges and organisations are able to apply for free training support for their apprentices, making the training programme as accessible as possible.

Future Skills

This increasing need for talented young professionals to be encouraged to start careers in the construction industry also exacerbates the importance of initiatives such as Cara Group’s Future Skills Apprenticeship Programme. This sees apprentices receiving a combination of both practical training and mentorship, through factory tours, crucial experience of working with new and innovative products, and regular CPDs and product demonstration. Keyfix takes great pride in being a key sponsor of this programme.

Further Educational Support

Identifying the need to engage with young people early in their bricklaying apprenticeships, Keyfix regularly attends training academies, like Lee Marley Group’s Lee Marley Academy, and brickwork colleges to give practical demonstrations of its products on a purpose-built wall that the apprentices build. Additionally, industry experts from the company also give presentations on why its products are needed and how they are installed. Apprentices get to see, and use, Keyfix products up close. In recent months, Keyfix has visited Hertford Regional College, Hopwood Hall College, St Helens College, Wirral Met College, and Wigan & Leigh College, with more trips planned.

Working closely with educational facilities and other industry leaders, Keyfix continues to support apprentices throughout their journey, providing them with the tools and mentoring they need to enhance their careers and enjoy the multitude of options the construction industry has to offer.

John Duffin, Managing Director at Keyfix, stressed the importance of attracting young professionals into the industry now for the betterment of the built environment in the future. He said: “Careers in construction can be very wide-ranging and rewarding, but with the industry currently facing a skills shortage, it’s vital that everyone in the built environment does more to attract talented young people into the sector.”

Apprenticeships are an incredibly useful and cost-effective way of doing just that. Apprentices bring with them fresh new ideas and perspectives and add real energy to our industry. Keyfix cares deeply about supporting and nurturing apprentices throughout their journeys and looks forward to seeing so many more talented young professionals taking their first steps into the industry.