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More than 40 of Plymouth’s leading manufacturers and construction companies have combined to stage an immense apprenticeship fair – because they need workers to fill a skills gap afflicting those sectors.

The huge joint apprenticeship recruitment drive is being staged as part of National Apprenticeships Week 2020 and among companies taking part are AECOM, Babcock International, Barratt Homes, BD, Gilpin Demolition, Kawasaki Precision Machinery, Kier Construction, Midas Construction, Obedair, Plessey, Princess Yachts and YGS Landscapes.

Building Plymouth, the organisation set up to attract workers into construction, and the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) have joined forces once again to organise the Apprenticeship Jobs Fair, this year talking placed on Saturday, February 8, 2020, from 10am 2pm in the Plymouth Guildhall.

They are expecting more than 1,000 people to attend during the day, with both industries plagued by the same problem of having an aging workforce and needing an infusion of fresh blood.

Aimed at engaging young people, their parents and families, as well as adults who are considering a career change, the fair will promote that apprenticeships offer a chance to fire up a career and to showcase local employers blazing a trail in their business by offering a wide breadth of opportunities across these two high-growth sectors. Employers will be promoting careers and vacancies across trade, technical and professional pathways.

Firms and organisations attending the Plymouth apprenticeship fair 2020

Advanced Medical Solutions

AECOM

Alderman Tooling

Babcock

BAM Construction

The Barden Corporation

Barratt Homes

BD

Brunel

Centrax

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

Cities of Learning Digital Badges

City College Plymouth and Sherford Skills

Collins Aerospace

Construction Industry Training Board -

CITB

Cornwall College

CSW Group

Fiber Glass Systems

The Focus Training Group

Gilpin Demolition Ltd

Greenlight Safety Consultancy

Kawasaki Precision Machinery

Kier

Lorne Stewart Plc

MB Aerospace

Midas Construction (pictured)

Ministry of Defence

Motortronics

Oakmount Control Systems

Obedair

Olympus

Pepper Communications

Plessey

Princess Yachts

Schneider Electric

Shared Apprenticeships SW (SWAS)

Skills Group

South Devon College

T Clarke

University of Plymouth

UTC Plymouth

YGS Landscapes

Steve Gerry, secretary for PMG said: “Following on from the success of our annual events, the PMG are once again pleased to be jointly hosting this Apprenticeship Jobs Fair with Building Plymouth.

“Between us, we are home to two of Plymouth economy’s largest sectors: construction and manufacturing.

How much does the construction industry pay?

Tradespeople can earn more than £50,000 a year, according to new research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), released to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

The key statistics are:

Bricklayers, carpenters and plasters can command an average day rate of £175, equating to £53,200 a year;

Some tradespeople are paid up to £275 a day for their work;

54% of construction bosses are struggling to hire bricklayers;

53% are struggling to hire carpenters/joiners; and

35% are struggling to hire plasterers.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “There’s never been a better time to start an apprenticeship in construction. A trade apprenticeship not only offers the possibility of earning a good wage but provides an opportunity to set up your own business. The good news is that there plenty of vacancies in construction for young people with a can-do attitude and a willingness to learn.”

“This year’s event will host over 40 exhibitors and we very much look forward to opening the doors of Plymouth Guildhall to welcome everyone who is interested in making the first step of what could be the career of a lifetime.”

Emma Hewitt, Building Plymouth skills co-ordinator said: “Apprenticeships present a fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn and to get recognised and relevant qualifications whilst firing up your career.

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Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.

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“We know that of all sectors, construction requires the largest number of apprentices to help overcome the skills shortages and skills gaps.

“Our Fair will be the perfect place to look beyond the typical stereotypes of our sectors and to get really inspired, to find out more about becoming an apprentice and to vastly improve your chances of securing an apprenticeship.”

There will be a chance for visitors to try their hands at taster activities, demonstrations, competitions, attend talks about apprenticeships and also to meet current apprentices already working in the two dynamic and growing industries.

And on the same day, the annual Plymouth Construction and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Awards will be held in a private ceremony in the Lower Guildhall at 9am involving 19 invited apprentices.