While launching their new apprentice recruitment drive Salix Homes the Housing Association has been working to try and encourage more women into the construction industry. This encouragement has been echoed by Salix’s partner contractors.
It has been found that only 14% of the construction industry workforce is female. It is hoped that the public encouragement from Salix Homes and their partner contractors will encourage more women to apply for an apprenticeship.
Salix Homes owns more than 8,300 properties in Salford and has committed to create 2 apprentices for every £1 million invested by the company. In the past two years, Salix has managed to recruit 45 apprentices for their organisation and their partners’.
The recruitment drive by Salix is open to male and female candidates, but the association urges more women to explore the career options available in the construction industry and apply for an apprenticeship. The apprentices will be working in the company’s multi-million pound investment programme, which is a part of their Earn as you Learn initiative. Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to gain work experience, training and employment opportunities after they have qualified as well as allowing them to earn a wage while studying.
The apprenticeship that is on offer from Salix spans two or three years, and provides an opportunity for people to earn their NVQ Level 2 and 3. The procurement consortium Procure Plus will offer courses in a range of principal trades for the construction industry such as plastering, gas engineering and site logistics.
It is great to see the Housing Association and their contract partners encouraging more young people to begin their career in the construction industry as well as encouraging the increase of women in the construction industry. Hopefully this encouragement will have a positive impact on the industry.
