Green light for Plymouth’s largest construction apprenticeship training centre
July marked the grand opening of Plymouth’s largest dedicated construction apprenticeship training centre. Delivered by Greenlight Training, the investment in new purpose built facilities located at Newnham Industrial Estate in Plympton now offers the biggest range of construction trade apprenticeships available in the city including bricklaying, carpentry, roofing, drylining, plastering, flooring, groundworks and property maintenance.
Dan Symons, Director at Greenlight Training said: “Greenlight were delighted to finally unveil our new Apprenticeship Training Centre at our Grand Opening, and to demonstrate to so many of our employers, partners, associates and friends the unparalleled range of facilities we’re now able to offer. It’s one thing to hear about how we support Apprenticeships – it’s another for people to see the potential with their own eyes. We’re very proud of this Training Centre, and we’re hugely excited about the positive impact we can have on the landscape of Apprenticeships across the region. This facility would not have been possible without the support, assistance and sheer hard work of our partners, employees’ and clients, and we cannot thank everyone enough for their help in making this Centre a reality. We’re very excited about the range of opportunities we can offer, and the transformative impact we can have on the sector. It’s good for Plymouth, good for the South West, and ultimately it’s good for the whole industry.”
The grand opening event was well supported by industry representatives, key partners, current apprentices, Plymouth City Council including Cllr Sally Cresswell, Cabinet member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, and employers who already access their apprenticeship training through Greenlight.
Speaking at the launch event, Mick Harvey, Director at Award Group said: “It’s a great pleasure to work alongside Greenlight Training which enables young adults to grow and develop new skills within a safe environment for their future. Award Group currently have 18 apprentices spread over our Carpentry, Plastering and Drylining departments and are looking forward to accommodating more apprentices in the future.”
Cutting the ribbon to celebrate the official opening, Emma Hewitt, Skills Lead and Building Plymouth lead from Plymouth City Council said: “Huge congratulations to the Greenlight Training team for responding so brilliantly to the growing demand from the construction industry to help us tackle the skills shortages which are evident across all trades. Apprenticeships are the best route into this industry and the breadth of trade provision available now provides increased opportunities for local people – young people leaving the education system this summer as well as adults looking to retrain, to build a career which offers well paid prospects upon qualifying. Plymouth is facing its biggest capital build programme for 25 years and through the Building Plymouth partnership we are working hard to fill the hundreds of apprenticeship vacancies available.”
To apply directly for an apprenticeship with Greenlight Training “visit”: www.greenlightsc.co.uk/apply-for-an-apprenticeship
To find out how Building Plymouth connects local people with skills, training including apprenticeships, education, careers and jobs with the local construction industry visit www.buildingplymouth.co.uk Or drop in to meet the team who are based at Skills Launchpad Plymouth, 1st floor Barclays Bank in the city centre, every Tuesday, 10am-4pm.
A helpful guide for education leavers interested in construction can be found here