Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Building materials producer Saint Gobain has launched its first Technical Academy in the UK at East Leake in Leicestershire.
The 2500 sqft facility, which includes a classroom and dry and wet trades training areas, will be able to train upwards of 30 people a day. It will bring together training from the company’s British Gysum, Isover and Weber businesses and will offer classroom based and practical courses covering subjects from internal and external acoustic and thermal insulation to drylining, plastering and flooring.
The Academy also includes a large showroom which will enable trainees to see large scale models showing Saint-Gobain products and systems in a range of new build and refurbishment applications.
It will be targeted at contractors, builders’ merchants and architects looking to up-skill, as well as new recruits to the industry.
Over the next year, more Saint-Gobain Technical Academies will be rolled out, starting with Bristol next month.
Peter Hindle MBE, general delegate for Saint-Gobain in the UK, Ireland and South Africa, said: “We need to support our customers by helping them seize the opportunities related to the sustainable building agenda. Through the Academy we can provide access to the very latest knowledge and training. And by sharing our resources with them we can work together to close the skills gaps and create the work force to deliver the buildings of the future.”
Jonathan Cherry, head of product marketing at British Gypsum, said: “As the leading manufacturer and distributor of solutions, products and systems for sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain is uniquely placed to provide expert advice and practical training on a wide range of skills that help make sustainable construction a reality”.
