There are a number of apprenticeship and training organisations operating in Torbay. Some offer ‘ready-for-work’ training, getting young people site-ready in a matter of weeks with a CSCE card and the necessary PPE.
Build Torbay works with organisations such as South Devon College, Greenlight, and Skills Support for the Workforce. They deliver construction training and can put employers in touch with employees and trainees to work on Torbay projects.
The South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network can guide businesses through the process of employing an apprentice and help them get the most out of this recruitment option.
Shared Apprentices are a not-for-profit organisation who act as employers to apprentices so that businesses can choose flexible placements that suits their needs.
South Devon College can also support you to find apprentices for your vacancies. Email Colette Dalton in the Business Solutions Team to find out more: colettedalton@southdevon.ac.uk
For an overview of the roles of these different organisations and to explore which ones could be most useful for a specific requirements, businesses can email the Build Torbay Project Coordinator: lucy.lewis@torbay.gov.uk
More information about apprenticeships is available on the Government web pages at: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
South West Net Zero Hub Retrofit Skills Report
Gemserv was commissioned by the South West Net Zero Hub to undertake research to support the South West region to meet its net zero targets by setting out the retrofit requirements for the region, including the installation of heat pumps and deployment of insulation measures.
To meet the UK’s net zero target of 2050, local areas across the South West are setting ambitious targets. Most local authorities in the region have set net zero targets for 2030, requiring them to decarbonise in less than 7 years from the publication of this report.
Pivotal to meeting these targets will be the decarbonisation of the heating and buildings sector which contributes an average of 20% of UK carbon emissions and is the sector on which this report focusses.
Summary Report: Construction and Build Environment Skills Gap Summit
In November 2021, 49 representatives from the regional construction sector: main contractors and engineering, consultants, supply chain, and housing contractors took part in the virtual summit hosted by Building Plymouth, Building Greater Exeter and Build Torbay as part of the Heart of the South West (HotSW) Construction and the Built Environment Skills Delivery Group.
Its purpose was to identify key areas of skills need and opportunity for the future of the construction and the built environment sector, understanding skills demand to fill jobs today and in the future, including net zero, digital and MMC.
The findings of the summit help to inform the intervention priorities from the “Building family” initiatives: Build Torbay, Building Greater Exeter and Building Plymouth.
Labour Market Intelligence Report
In June 2022, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in partnership with Experian, published its latest report into the construction sector skills landscape in the south west.