50 new construction apprenticeships created in South West Wales

Cyfle Building Skills, a construction shared apprenticeship scheme operating in South West Wales, is delighted to announce that it has recruited 50 new apprentices onto the scheme, despite the challenges of COVID-19.

The scheme has secured the funding and placements for the 50 apprentices despite the economic distribution of 2020. In effect, it means the creation of 50 much-needed new jobs in the area, which has been hit hard by the turbulence caused by COVID-19.

The new recruits will embark on a two-year course – following successful completion of their first year – comprising a mixture of classroom learning and working onsite with a number of the construction companies that support Cyfle. Over 90% of apprentices who complete their apprenticeship secure fulltime employment in their chosen trade.

Cyfle Building Skills Ltd is an innovative South West Wales initiative and registered charity enabling young adults to gain sustainable employment within the construction industry through shared apprenticeship training, mentoring and meaningful work experience opportunities.

Recipient of two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, the Cyfle Shared Apprenticeship Scheme involves a unique collaboration with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Welsh Government, five Local Colleges, one University and three Training Groups operating within the South West Wales region.

The scheme allows apprentices to complete a full apprenticeship programme by working with a number of different employers, to gain the skillsets they require to become qualified.

Since Cyfle Building Skills was launched in 2013, 720 individuals have been employed by the scheme, many of those have developed into senior positions within the industry and some have formed companies of their own.

Anthony Rees, Regional Manager, Cyfle Building Skills, said:

“This has been a challenging year for all companies, ourselves included, so to be able to still provide 50 apprenticeships for individuals looking to enter the construction industry is an incredible and very satisfying achievement for the team.

“Since 2013, we have championed the entrance of young talent into the construction industry showcasing the benefits of the construction industry as a career path. It has been very satisfying to see so many individuals go onto thrive in the profession and make a real difference to the companies they work for.

“It is also important to thank our stakeholders for their support, especially the construction companies themselves who work by our side offering the apprentices experience on site and ultimately hiring many of them once the two-year course has been completed.”