Local apprentices from Chasetown-based company, Tara Group, were recently given the opportunity to attend a parliamentary skills reception hosted by Home Builders Federation (HBF) at the Houses of Parliament.
Three apprentices, Carl Steane, Mac Ball and Oliver Ayres from the construction company attended the event alongside Jo Mann, people, engagement & social impact partner at Tara Group, and Paul Morrissey, operations director at Cameron Homes, which is part of the Group. The skills reception event, which was sponsored by Labour MP, Lauren Edwards and hosted by HBF, showcased the various career paths within the housebuilding industry and gave apprentices and graduates the opportunity to meet with MPs and industry peers.
HBF also launched its new ‘A Hard Hat to Fill’ report at the event, which calls on the need to address the skills gap in the home building industry. The report highlights that there’s a shortfall in those entering careers, and therefore, retention and recruitment of the home building workforce needs to improve.
The research undertaken by HBF states that to reach 300,000 homes a year, an estimated 240,000 new recruits across the broader housing sector are needed, including 20,000 groundworkers and 20,000 bricklayers. Paul Morrissey (pic), operations director at Cameron Homes, said: “At Tara Group, we’re committed to providing opportunities for new talent to take their first step into the housebuilding industry and offer both a graduate and apprenticeship programme.
“I’m delighted that Carl, Mac and Oliver had the opportunity to join Jo and I at the HBF event and find out more about the career and development opportunities available within the housebuilding industry.” Tara Group, which consists of Chasetown Civil Engineering, Cameron Homes, and Keon Homes, offers apprenticeships and graduate programmes across many disciplines within the housebuilding industry.
