The FMB is once again on the hunt for the best young talent in Britain as it launches its search for the Apprentice of the Year. The overall winner will not only win the coveted title of 'Master Builder of the Year 2005' but will also become the owner of a brand new Nissan Light Commercial Vehicle of their choice.
Ian Davis, director general of the FMB said: "This competition is open to all talented apprentices, not just FMB members. The Apprentice of the Year award not only aims to showcase the talent that exists in the UK construction sector but to encourage more people to consider pursuing a rewarding career in one of the trades. With a continued shortage of skilled tradespeople such as plumbers, bricklayers and plasterers coming into the industry, we want to demonstrate that construction offers a wide variety of excellent and rewarding career options."
A career in the building industry is definitely a choice favoured by many parents, according to research by the FMB. Figures show that 50% of parents are more likely to encourage their children into a career in building than they would have been five years ago. Commenting on this, Ian Davis said: "The reputation of the building profession has improved in the eyes of both parents and young people. In the past, trades have been neglected in favour of forcing youngsters down the more academic career path."
"Customers who nominated apprentices for the 2004 awards gave them the highest praise and spoke of their outstanding ability and perfectionist attitude. These are the type of individuals we need to join the building trade."
2004 winner Gloucestershire apprentice carpenter James Rycroft, impressed judges with his excellent standard of specialist joinery work in a stunning Grade II listed farmhouse.
Chris Partridge, director of Cheltenham builders MJ Partridge, described James as a 'superb asset to my company' and explained that James' ambition was always to follow his grandfather into the building industry and to become a Master Builder. "On finishing his last exam at school, James jumped on his bike and cycled the six miles from school to our office in Birdlip to ask for a carpenter's job. We offered him a job, and we haven't looked back."
The Apprentice of the Year category is sponsored by CITB-ConstructionSkills and Master Builder magazine. It is one of eight individual categories in the 2005 Master Builder of the Year Awards. The award is open to any UK building apprentice, who must be nominated by their employer, customer, tutor or by a member of the CITB-ConstructionSkills regional team. Entries do not have to be the biggest or most complicated projects; they just need to show the apprentice has used a high level of skill in their chosen trade.
Fiona Kane, director of communications and marketing, at CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: "It is vital to ensure we attract quality young people into the construction industry, which needs half a million new recruits by 2010. We are delighted to be supporting the Master Builder of the Year awards to help develop a positive image of construction and promote excellence throughout the industry."
So whether you are a talented apprentice or you run a building firm that prides itself on training new recruits, you can find more details and download an entry form at www.findabuilder.co.uk/awards or by calling freephone 08000 152 522. The closing date for entries is 31st May 2005 and the winners will be presented with their awards by Sarah Beeny, presenter of Channel 4's Property Ladder, on September 8th 2005.
Master Builder of the Year is organised by the Federation of Master Builders in association with Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd and sponsored by Aon Ltd, CITB-ConstructionSkills, K2, Sage, Hewden, British Gypsum, Energy Saving Trust, B & CE Benefit Schemes, Travis Perkins, Homebuilding & Renovating, LABC, Paramount Group of Hotels, Professional Builder magazine and Master Builder magazine.
First posted: 30 March 2005. Last modified: 30 March 2005.
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