Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Travis Perkins plc plans to train 10,000 apprentices by 2030, it was announced today (March 8). The target was unveiled at the company’s inaugural apprenticeship graduation ceremony, held at Franklin’s Gardens stadium, home of Northampton Saints Rugby Club, which celebrated the successes of this year’s 382 apprentice graduates. Over 250 apprentice graduates and industry partners were in attendance.
The target aims to support 10,000 individuals to complete an apprenticeship in the construction industry by the end of 2030.
Travis Perkins plc aims to create the Next Generation Workforce by encouraging individuals to join the construction industry through its diverse range of entry level programmes as well as upskill those already in role, with its career development apprenticeships. The Group is already a leading provider of apprenticeships with over 1,250 apprentices currently on programmes nationwide, which it recently extended to the wider industry via the Builders Merchants Federation, to attract new and more diverse talent to construction, and to accelerate the learning of new skills needed to sustain the industry for the future.
Travis Perkins is also committed to becoming an industry-leading employer of diverse teams with apprenticeships a major tool in attracting and developing greater diversity in the construction industry. Of the 382 apprentice graduates celebrated at today’s graduation ceremony, over 40% are women, up from 32% the prior year.
Travis Perkins CEO Nick Roberts said: “Ensuring our country is equipped with the right skills to deliver a greener, more sustainable future for our built environment is essential. Apprenticeships are fundamental to ensuring that the industry has the skills we need to deliver on net zero, retrofitting buildings, looking after our rich built heritage in every town and city, and creating a built environment that we can all be proud of.”
Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said: “Travis Perkins is a skills and apprenticeships powerhouse, and I’m delighted that since training its 1000th apprentice, the company is not resting on its laurels and is aiming for an amazing 10,000 apprentices by 2030. This is exactly the kind of initiative which will extend the ladder of opportunity to people from all backgrounds across the country and help them to secure sustainable, fulfilling work.”
Emma Rose, Chief HR Officer at Travis Perkins plc, added: “We are committed to building better communities and enriching lives, and today’s exciting announcement will create lots of new opportunities for people to earn whilst they learn and open doors which otherwise may have remained closed.
“Travis Perkins is a leader within the industry and beyond when it comes to apprentices and the diversity of the 40+ programmes we offer, and I look forward to working with industry and government stakeholders to share insights on how we have built up our apprenticeship programme and our plans to scale this up further.”
