Member Article

Apprenticeships become selling point for West Yorkshire construction firm

Green Future Building, based in a former factory in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, is a not-for-profit social enterprise to help young people into the construction industry.

Director John Beaumont is committed to giving opportunities to those who may otherwise struggle to find work and learn skills. For him, and his business, apprenticeships are not an added extra; they are the core of what his business does.

The company is a not-for-profit social enterprise, founded in 2012, to help young people access education and employment in the sustainable construction industry.

They carry out a range of cutting-edge work, from building small products like bird boxes and benches to completing large projects such as an extension to a school.

Jon says: “Even though we are a social enterprise, we are still a business, in fact because the majority of our workforce is in training or on apprenticeships it is even more important that the apprentices contribute to the overall productivity.

“Their commitment ensures the continued future of the organisation and their jobs.”

“An apprenticeship with us isn’t an easy option. We would be doing them a disservice if the experience they were getting was different from in any other commercial organisation.

“They start early in the morning and finish at the same time as their colleagues and have to work to the same rules.”

Many of the apprentices who have trained with Green Future Building, and their learning partners including Kirklees College, have gone on to work full-time within the company.

“Some have also completed courses qualifying them to mentor others, ensuring the skills learnt within the business stay within the business.

“Working with young people who have not had the best start in life is challenging but also rewarding, - one of our apprentices has shown a natural talent for joinery, which puts him way ahead of his peers.

“He is producing high quality work that is already adding value to the business – if we hadn’t given him this opportunity then we would all be missing out.”

The company has recently won awards for its range of products at the Harrogate Flower Show, created a pavilion for Batley Girls High School and supplied bird boxes to farms in East Yorkshire.

John believes their ethical approach not only helps those who work with them as apprentices but also the company itself:

“Our approach to supporting young people is often seen as a unique selling point for Green Future Building.

“When we sell our products, companies see the excellent quality they are getting but also recognise an additional value in buying from us because of our environmental ethos and support of young people.”

Kirklees is one of eight apprenticeship hubs that have been set-up in the Leeds City Region. The aim is to help business thrive and grow through apprenticeships and, to achieve that, help and support for businesses is available through the Business Brokers scheme.

To find out more contact the Business Brokers team on 01484 437075 or e-mailapphub@kirklees.gov.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .