Property and construction is a growing sector with a range of career routes and opportunities to upskill, making it the perfect sector to build a career.
There are currently 2,600 individuals employed in the sector locally and the number is expected to increase with future housing and development sites in Chesterfield.
Chesterfield is well positioned to respond to the growth of the sector, with a range of construction training pathways available through the existing skills infrastructure, from entry level employability programmes, to degree level professional programmes.
To enhance the exiting skills offer, a Construction Skills Hub is being developed, that will provide a platform for practical skills development.
Construction Skills Hub
The Construction Skills Hub will provide a practical platform for construction training, careers activity and work experience on a live construction site in Mastin Moor. Over ten years, it aims to provide training, careers insights, and work experience for over 5,000 learners.
Initially the Skills Hub will provide training in site and bench joinery, brickwork, ground works and electrical installation but in time the offer will expand to include training in retrofit and green technologies. It will be open to school leavers and other residents seeking to train or retrain.
There will also be a careers insight programme, which will be developed in collaboration with local schools, and opportunities for work experience to help young people make informed decisions about their futures.
A site has already been identified for the Construction Skills Hub in collaboration with the Devonshire Group who will be bringing forward a new housing development in Mastin Moor from the Autumn. Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director of Devonshire Property Group, said: “I am delighted to see the proposals for the Construction Skills Hub have been given the green light. The project will enable individuals to develop the skills and experience needed to have great careers and a bright future.”
Read more about the Construction Skills Hub here.
The Apprenticeship Route
An apprenticeship offers many benefits and a great route into the property and construction sector.
Christian Peat joined DBCP, the leading provider of building control services in Derbyshire, last year after deciding his A Level course at college wasn’t for him. He demonstrates how an apprenticeship allows individuals to learn on the job and gain skills to kickstart a career in the sector.
He explained: “An apprenticeship appealed to me as I knew I would be learning as well as having a job at the same time, paralleling one another.”
Having studied Construction and the Built Environment at school as well having family members who work in the sector, Christian was familiar with building regulations and health and safety which sparked his interest in joining DBCP as a member of the company’s technical support team.
He said: “What I like about my apprenticeship, is the sector that I am working in, as I have always had an interest in construction since I could pretty much walk. My dad has also worked in the sector as a quantity surveyor for as long as I remember, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
Christian added: “It’s a really varied role with DBCP which is great. It is adding to my skillset and helping me identify what I would like to follow as a career once I finish my apprenticeship.”
Individuals looking for a career in construction can search for current job vacancies here.
Hiring an Apprentice
Businesses looking to fill a skills gap should consider developing new talent through the recruitment of an apprentice.
Hiring an apprentice can bring a wealth of benefits to your business from improved productivity to improvements in the quality of products and services.
Andy Dabbs, Architect and Board Director at Chesterfield-based Whittam Cox Architects, explains: “The importance of apprenticeship programmes cannot be underestimated, particularly in the post-Brexit environment and the associated skills gap that is challenging so many businesses. Not only can these programmes provide individuals with the required skills for work but they are also more accessible, providing a platform that may otherwise not be available to so many talented candidates.”
Find out more about hiring an apprentice and the funding which is available here.
Mentoring Programme
The Future Makers, Creators, Designers and Builders Mentoring Programme is designed to support individuals who may be interested in exploring or pursuing careers working in the built environment. This might include designers, architects, surveyors, structural engineers, builders, and construction workers.
The programme is currently seeking mentors from the sector to act as role models and work with individuals to build confidence, knowledge and career prospects.
Find out how you can get involved as a mentor or mentee here.