Council-backed developers offer free construction courses

The group get free training at a council-backed developer

A housing developer in Bristol is offering free courses to people interested in getting into construction.

Goram Homes, which is backed by Bristol City Council, set up the scheme last year in an effort to help recruit some of the 225,000 extra construction workers that will be needed by 2027.

The company says barriers such as inflation, energy costs and the knock-on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a severe shortage of skilled employees in the industry.

The two-week long course provides learners with a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), which is need to be hired.

The course provides industry-standard accreditation

The centre at Lockleaze in Bristol is run by a subsidiary of City of Bristol College, with people being referred to the scheme by job centres.

People at the course will learn carpentry, brickwork and plastering.

Steve Baker, the managing director of Goram Homes said: "There is a skills shortage in the construction industry.

"We need to encourage people to come into what is an amazing opportunity and have a wide, diverse career."

Regan Williams, one of the former participants on the course said: "It was the best decision I ever made.

"I'm now a ground worker, it's helped a lot."