News
Building career ladders for apprentices at West Herts College
September 17, 2021
Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS) is proud to be partnering with West Herts College as it leads the sustainable challenge, encouraging future workforces to focus on timber frame building solutions.
As part of an industry collaboration, we will work with Hertfordshire college to recruit 12 apprentices who will work with DTS trusted supply chain partners, SE Carpentry and Hyspec Carpentry & Construction.
The new vocational apprenticeship programme, which runs over two years, will allow students to gain a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Timber Frame – MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) while also completing theoretical and practical studies in class.
Having taught carpentry at West Herts College for more than 20 years, this new partnership enhances the curriculum offering, relating the key skills developed and nurtured, and applying this to MMC and timber frame construction.
West Herts College director, John McMahon said: “This is an exciting opportunity for students to progress to an apprenticeship with a forward-thinking company like Donaldson Timber Systems.
“Students really stand to benefit from this partnership. They will pick up a modern qualification in an expanding sector while working with an industry leader – especially with the added focus of this program on green, sustainable construction.”
It is this commitment to apprenticeships and hope of attracting people into the sector that appealed to DTS, who hope that encouraging young people to work primarily with modern methods of construction (MMC) will not only prepare them for the future, where skills shortages, housing demand and sustainable practices is putting pressure on the sector, but ultimately drive the construction industry’s efforts to tackle climate change.
Simon Horn, Technical Development Manager at DTS said: “Timber frame is still regarded in many regions across the UK as a relatively new solution to the housing crisis. However, it’s a construction discipline that DTS has long been passionate about, and we’re very excited to be sharing this passion with future workforces.
“Many of our team ‘started on the tools’ as apprentices, and we’re thrilled to now pass on our experiences. This is a great opportunity for young people to get involved, especially at a time when climate change and sustainable building practices is high on the agenda across the UK.”
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