Willmott Dixon to deliver Cheadle College redevelopment
Nearly £90m of higher education work secured in two weeks
Willmott Dixon Partnerships managing director Mick Williamson gives his views on National Apprenticeship Week in Construction News. He says:
“Trade skills are the life blood of our industry. That’s why National Apprenticeship Week is a timely reminder that even in tough economic times, major contractors must show leadership and invest in skills.
Construction is one of the best industries to offer life-long careers to the many unemployed young people in this country who also feel disengaged from society.
We launched our Opening Doors programme to meet the huge interest for work experience placements from young people keen for a route into construction, and later this year will open a new national centre for skills in Birmingham to help thousands of people learn trades like plumbing, carpentry and joinery. There is an important business rationale for investing in apprenticeships; clients want their contractors and partners to leave a legacy and there is no better way than helping a local community gain new skills. Taking on 20 apprentices a year is not just good PR; it will help win new contracts.
Many companies have excellent apprenticeship records, we employ over 200 at Willmott Dixon or through our suppliers, but the recent recession has seen programmes cut. The biggest message is that we cannot treat training of trade skills as a light switch to turn on and off; it creates jobs, leaves a legacy and will help you win work.”
Willmott Dixon Partnerships is Willmott Dixon’s repairs and maintenance specialist and looks after 160,000 homes and buildings across the UK.
Nearly £90m of higher education work secured in two weeks
Village at university's Stoke-on-Trent campus will be built to Passivhaus design principles
Willmott Dixon publishes an update on current trading and its accounts for the 12 months to 31 December 2023
Follows similar transformational work to boost skills and opportunity in Manchester
Supports drive to achieve gender parity by 2030
Will increase accessibility and lay-out for community to benefit from
Brighouse High School students go behind the hoardings at construction of new headquarters for West Yorkshire firefighters
New project in Sutton is the latest work to transform a town centre high street to encourage new footfall