Local housebuilding, groundworkers and construction engineers across East Anglia are set to receive a skills boost thanks to a new, free training programme being launched through the Hopkins Homes Academy.
The ‘Skills Bootcamp’ offers workers involved in the initial phases of housebuilding and construction the opportunity to complete a free, bespoke 16-week training programme which will cover five short courses.
As part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee which helps everyone gain skills for life, the ‘Skills Bootcamp’ will help workers gain qualifications and certificates in seven core competencies, including a Level 2 NVQ, CSCS and CPCS accreditations, and NPORS. Hopkins Homes is one of the first housebuilders to offer this to their employees, contractors and suppliers in the UK.
To support construction skills and jobs across East Anglia, Hopkins Homes is not only offering these courses to their own colleagues, but also offering them to their contractors, suppliers and partners involved in the construction supply chain free of charge. The housebuilder is encouraging its contractors to sign up to the scheme while funding is available.
Backed by the Department for Education and Construction Skills People, the scheme could fund courses for hundreds of construction workers.
After an initial enrolment event, the cohort will begin their 16-week courses during the summer and will complete their qualifications before the end of this year.
Shane Vinyard, Group Head of Quality Assurance and Training at Hopkins Homes said: “For many years, we have been tackling a significant skills shortage across the engineering and construction sectors.
“Hopkins Homes has built its enviable reputation for creating distinctive homes and environments, backed by a 5-star HBF builder accolade, by making sure we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right places. This includes working with exceptional contractors and suppliers to deliver our vision, and the homes people want to live in.
“We believe our role in supporting skills, jobs and professional development extends beyond our own team. We hope the ‘Skills Bootcamp’ will go some way to addressing the skills shortage and supporting workers with additional qualifications throughout our region.”
Steve Anderson, from Construction Skills People, added: “We are delighted that Hopkins Homes is taking a lead to improve skills in construction across East Anglia.
“Construction, groundworkers and engineers often complete different qualifications at their own cost, and in a piecemeal approach. However, the ‘Skills Bootcamp’ provides a bespoke programme to construction workers that allows them to gain essential qualifications, accreditations and competencies to grow their careers.
“Through the 16-week course, they will complete modules that include health and safety, environmental awareness, groundwork, concreting, drainage and storm management, abrasive wheel safety, and different plant equipment training.
“We look forward to working with a range of companies and people through the course.”
Contractors, suppliers and construction workers interested in the programme can contact academy@hopkinshomes.co.uk to find out more and to check their eligibility to enrol on the course.
The Hopkins Homes Academy was launched earlier this year to provide a more structured approach to professional development to help its people achieve their potential. The Academy provides a range of opportunities, including:
• Essential, regulatory and mandatory training
• Technical, tradecraft and specialist training
• Management skills
• Development pathways and formal qualifications