Let’s build some futures, together

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

According to The Times a couple of weeks ago, youngsters leaving school are beginning to turn their backs on formal higher education, ditching plans for university in favour of learning a trade. Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds are queueing up to get onto building, bricklaying, plumbing, electrical and carpentry courses. It seems the construction industry has never been more popular.

A jolly good thing too because, as we’ve all heard time and again, the construction workforce is ageing, eyeing retirement and hanging up its hard hats. There is a real need for fresh talent coming through.

That said, nothing can get built, by old timers or young guns, if there are no materials to build with. Without building products, builders can’t build, plumbers can’t plumb, carpenters can’t…you get the picture.

The building materials sector exists to make, sell, market and distribute the products needed to build the world around us. Yet our sector faces exactly the same challenge as the wider industry. None of us are getting any younger, and we need new people coming through the ranks.

Which is why I’m delighted to say that this week marks the next exciting chapter for The Maddie Rose Foundation, with the Maddie Rose Golf Day and Yellow Tie Dinner taking place tomorrow at The Belfry. Once again people, some of whom really should stay away from the colour, will be donning their best yellow bibs, hats, frocks, shawls and tuckers, and digging deep to raise funds in the way that this sector does so well, via huge amounts of fun and frolicking.

This is the next stage in the development of the Maddie Rose Campaign, established as a lasting legacy to Maddie Rose Hollamby and originally launched under the wing of the Construction Youth Trust. Thanks to the commitment, generosity and hard work of so many people across the sector, and that initial support of CYT, The Maddie Rose Foundation is now ready to spread its wings and support young people across the country who are interested in careers in building materials.

One of the sector’s greatest strengths is the sheer variety of career paths it offers, from sales and logistics to product development and marketing, digital technology and sustainability, finance and management. The Foundation aims to help any young person with a passion for building a career in any of the disciplines our sector has to offer. That support will come in many forms, from grants and bursaries to mentoring, work experience and business partnerships. And we’ll be working closely with others across the industry to make it all happen.

There will also be opportunities to continue the fantastic fundraising efforts of recent years, as well as ways to work alongside the Foundation in promoting its aims. If you would like to support us, raise money or use the fabulous logo on anything, please contact the Foundation first. There are some important hoops to jump through, and rules to be adhered to – nobody wants to fall foul of the taxman.

The Foundation’s trustees will be at the event tomorrow, and we welcome the chance to have a chat and see what we can achieve together as an industry.

We are only at the beginning of what I hope will be a long, exciting and rewarding journey as we continue to promote, showcase and champion this vibrant, dynamic sector that we all love so much. A sector filled with opportunity, where young people can realise their potential and build their futures.

This industry has been very good to me, so it is a huge privilege, and something I am immensely proud of, to be able to give something back, and play my part in helping develop The Maddie Rose Foundation.

For the sector. For the future. For Maddie, with love.