Deputy Council Leader meets apprentices in National Apprenticeship Week

5th-11th February was National Apprenticeship Week in England and Wales.

City Of York Council Deputy Leader Pete Kilbane has met students interested in construction careers at a housing development in York to help promote National Apprenticeship Week.

Hosted by Persimmon at Bootham Crescent development, Councillor Kilbane met students from York College. The site, which is the former home of York City Football Club, will deliver 93 new homes when complete.

City of York Council's Deputy Leader Councillor Pete Kilbane said: "With advances in technology we're not always going to need accountants, but we will always need brickies"

"The students here have heard that a bricklayer can earn between £1,100 and £1,400 a week. It's a decent salary that you can build a life on while building high quality energy efficient houses that are contributing towards the net zero agenda.

"In this country, we have focused too long on the university route in education, but there are valuable jobs in construction and manual work."

National Apprenticeship Week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the difference that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Lisa Haywood apprenticeship manager for Persimmon said: “It’s great to be able to host construction students on one of our live construction sites and demonstrate the ways in which they can put the skills they learn to use.

“We’re always looking at new ways to inspire young people into the industry– particularly during national apprenticeship week – and I hope that some of those young people we met today will be excited at the prospect of putting their skills into practice on completion of their studies.

“As a York based business, we’re especially proud of our partnership with York College helping young people develop the skills they need to embark upon one of the many fulfilling careers construction has to offer.”

More information about apprenticeships including openings can be found on the Government’s apprenticeships portal https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/