200,00 new homes is great Mr Cameron but who is going to build them?

200,00 new homes is great Mr Cameron but who is going to build them?

In the run up to National Apprenticeship Week (March 9th-13th), the boss of a Derby building firm welcomes yesterday’s (March 2nd) pledge by the Tory leader to build 200,000 new homes for first time buyers. However, he also claims that without a more holistic approach to apprenticeships, we cannot hope to have the skills to build them.  

Ian Hodgkinson, managing director of Hodgkinson Builders on Pride Park, who employs over 100 bricklayers said:

“There were two announcements yesterday which I found frustrating and hugely encouraging. Firstly, David Cameron’s pledge will be welcomed by those of us in the trade as it means jobs and growth. However, I really do worry that we haven’t go the required skills-base in this country’s labour force to deliver these projects - it’s a legacy from the recession.

“During the downturn, instead of putting out fires, we should have been preparing for the upturn. The Government should have been investing in training young people in readiness for the market picking up again - just as Mr Cameron is now promising with these houses.”

“However, at the same time, I echo yesterday’s announcement by the British Chambers of Commerce, who published the BCC Workforce Survey, Developing the Talents of the Next Generation.

“This noted that ‘57% of employers cite a lack of soft skills such as communication, resilience and team working, as the main reason why young people are unprepared for the world of work.”

“This is just as much an issue in construction as it is across the UK labour force. If we are to develop the stars of the future for our industry it isn’t just about the ability to lay bricks or erect scaffolding. There are softer skills that need to be mastered, be they punctuality, courtesy, confidence or even driving. It is little use hiring young apprentices if they can’t get to site and even worse when they don’t necessarily see the impact that tardiness or a perceived lack of respect can have on their employer and ultimately, their career.

“I’m sure this will be the case across many industries but I will concentrate on my own and to that end, I am already exploring the possibilities of linking up with education providers to create a holistic approach to training apprentices.

“There is a real opportunity to be grasped, let’s just hope our future stars can take advantage of it.”

We are looking for a fit out partner

Hodgkinson Builders are looking for a fit out partner to work with on our Housing developments. We build strong relationships with our supply chain if you are successful you and your company can look forward to continued repeated work and contracts. Hodgkinson's are very good bricklayers and we will build the shell to the house, our idea partner will fit it out inc, Joinery plastering, electrics, plumbing, kitchens and bathrooms. If you are interested please contact me, This is for the East Midlands. 

Hodgkinson

Hodgkinson Builders have been based at Pride Park for over 8 years having been established since the early 1990's. We are unique in what we do and probadly the best experienced Brickwork and Building Contractor in our field of expertise in the UK. 

Suppling around 150 tradional tradesmen building schools, offices, industrial units, houses, shopping centers.

Specialties: Building, Construction, Brickwork, Stone work, traditional skills, Developments, apprenterships, work experience. 

Hodgkinson supply complete package solutions to meet the most demanding building requirements,

We have Supply and fix packages to labour only and labour supply 

TV work we have done includes Homes under the Hammer, ITV News, Chrissy B Show, News At 10, Sky News, Diy Make over shows, BBC DIY SOS, Celebrity DIY Home Front in The Garden. And a complete 10 part TV series on SKY Which was Victorian House Project in Liverpool, along with Craig Phillips. I helped Craig renovate the property in to five High Class Apartments. My company supplied the trades and materials to carry out specialist renovation and restoration works.

I have a saying "you have probably been in one of the buildings we have built" Scotland, England, Wales, Iceland, Many many interesting projects all over the UK, Back in Derby, home turf, and in particular Pride Park, I built and project managed the Clough Taylor statue, in memory of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. A "fly on the wall" documentary about the building of the statue was made by Derby County and I was very proud to be involved. 

Who would have thought when I left building school i would end up meeting the Queen !! From Bricklayer to meeting the Queen !!! It was at the opening of The Armed Forces memorial in Staffordshire. My company, my expertise, were the reasons we were chosen to build out the structure and stone work on this project. Again filmed as a fly on the wall documentary from start to finish, massive media present, fantastic opportunity for me and my company. 

Charity is at our heart and recently carried out a "make over" our own DIYSOS of a community centre for underprivileged kids in Derby. I was helped by 300 strong local cummiunity and trades , a great couple of days, and an awesome achievement in completing the build for the Children. I also champion youngsters and a lot of the work was done by trainees from Derby College Using the media awearness I try and put youngsters forward for work. 

I am in many respects an ambassador for apprentices  and i am looking to set up my own Building and Bricklaying Acadamy. 

All this can be seen on my web site,