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Tag: keyskills

NEWS | Swift Brickwork apprentices gain inspiration and tools to kick-start career

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

IG Masonry Support and the wider Keystone Group steel division have joined forces with other key influencers in the construction sector to provide a day of inspiration for Swift Brickwork Contractor‘s new cohort of brickwork apprentices.

The highlight of the day was a tour of a live site managed by the prestigious Canary Wharf Group. The apprentices had the opportunity to witness first-hand the intricacies of brickwork in a real-world setting. From observing skilled craftsmen at work to understanding the importance of precision and attention to detail, the apprentices were able to gain valuable insights into the profession.

In addition to the site tour, Keystone Group companies IG Masonry Support and Keyfix also provided product demonstrations to showcase the latest advancements in brickwork technology. The apprentices were able to witness the market-leading technology and techniques used in the industry, providing them with a glimpse into the future of their trade.

To ensure the apprentices had the best start to their apprenticeship, the Keystone Group companies generously provided them with a full bag of brickwork tools. This gesture was made possible by the Group’s Keyskills Education Initiative which aims to equip brickwork apprentices with the necessary knowledge and tools to excel in their training and future careers.

Dean Degun, Swift Brickwork’s Contracts Manager and the driving force behind the event, expressed his gratitude to all participants: “We were delighted to hold an inspiration day for our new cohort of apprentices at Canary Wharf Group. The event has been supported by many key influencers within the sector including Canary Wharf Group, IG Masonry Support, Keyfix, the wider Keystone Group, New City College, Brick Development Association, Band of Builders, and the Association of Brickwork Contractors. We are ever so grateful for the donation of the brickwork tools from the Keystone Group for all of the apprentices.”

Andy Neal, Managing Director of IG Masonry Support who also attended the day, said: “It was a pleasure to be a part of the Apprentice Inspiration Day and we thank Swift Brickwork Contractors for including us. Witnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of these apprentices was truly inspiring. We are delighted to be able to contribute to their bright future in bricklaying by donating tools that will support their journey.”

With the support of influential stakeholders, the day, organised by Swift Brickwork Contractors, was a great success and their apprentices are well on their way to a promising future in the world of brickwork.

 

 

NEWS | Supporting rising construction stars with sponsorship of Skillbuild 2023

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

The Keystone Group has been announced as the main sponsor of SkillBuild 2023, the largest and longest-running construction skills competition in the UK.

The contest has support from four companies within the Keystone Group: IG Masonry Support, Keyfix, IG Lintels, and Keystone Lintels. Each brand will not only be lending their name to the competition, they will provide their industry-leading products to ensure entrants are well-equipped to showcase their skills.

Owen Coyle, Divisional CEO, Keystone Group said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this year’s SkillBuild event. It’s a fantastic contest featuring talented apprentices and trainees of all ages. The construction industry is in real need of new, skilled recruits. SkillBuild provides an excellent platform to showcase new construction talent, as well as act as a catalyst to inspire others to take up tools and join the industry.”

Organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), SkillBuild pits entrants against each other in a contest involving 13 regional qualifying heats. The one-day events will test competitors on their technical abilities, time management, problem-solving and skills working under pressure. Winners from each qualifier will be invited to take part in the SkillBuild National Finals, taking place in November 2023.

Ten trade categories will be contested in SkillBuild: bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, painting and decorating, plastering, plastering and drywall systems, roof slating and tiling, stonemasonry, wall and floor tiling and furniture and cabinet making. Level 1 competitions are also available in wall and floor tiling and bricklaying.

A recent CITB  ‘Construction Skills Network’ (CSN) report states that nearly 225,000 additional workers will be required to meet UK construction demand by 2027. Despite the current economic challenges, the report states that demand for new recruits in the building industry will remain high.

The Keystone Group’s commitment to addressing the building industry skills shortfall includes the launch of ‘Keyskills’, a brand-new education initiative providing support to skill-up a new generation of bricklayers in UK and Ireland. The initiative, also involving Keystone Group’s IG Masonry Support, Keyfix, Keystone Lintels, and IG Lintels, showcases a wide range of construction methods through free training support and materials. It’s a generous offering that is designed to focus on relieving financial pressures on education establishments to allow extra funding for the development and recruitment of bricklaying training courses.

Owen Coyle continued: “We see it as our duty to help inspire young people and show them that traditional trades offer a career that is fulfilling and rewarding. It is vital that we continually bring generation after generation into the fold for construction; it brings fresh new ideas and adds energy to our industry. The flipside, an aging workforce that will never be able to keep up with demand. That is why we whole heartedly believe in Keyskills. Every ‘brickie’ counts!”

To take advantage of the new Keyskills programme, visit our Keyskills page to find out more.

NEWS | Take advantage of opportunity to support development of bricklaying’s next generation

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

The Keystone Group, the UK’s largest steel lintel manufacturer has launched a new and exciting education initiative to help cement the future of brickwork students across the UK and Ireland.

Serving as an enterprising response to the current building industry skills shortfall, ‘Keyskills’ showcases a wide range of construction methods through free training support and materials. The initiative, involving Keystone Group’s IG Masonry Support, IG Lintels, Keyfix and Keystone Lintels brands, focuses on relieving financial pressures on education establishments to allow extra funding for the development and recruitment of bricklaying training courses. Owen Coyle, Divisional CEO within the Keystone Group, said collaboration with colleges and training facilities will be crucial to Keyskills’ success.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for places of education to offer first-class training programmes and ‘skill-up’ a new generation of bricklayers,” Owen Coyle said. “The shortage of skilled tradespeople throughout the building sector as a whole is a well-known, long-standing issue. We want to collaborate with education establishments to relieve financial pressure and enable funds to be re-allocated back into the development and recruitment of these training programmes.”

Keyskills has a range of gratis benefits to support the recruitment and training process including training rigs and free products to support installation education, tours of Keystone’s manufacturing facilities, training presentations from Keystone’s technical experts, awards and event sponsorship, free merchandise and equipment and more.

According to the Construction Skills Network, the UK needs to recruit 1,450 more bricklayers per year over the next five years to keep pace with building demands. But building to the requisite standard is more than a numbers game, particularly as poor brickwork has been the foremost issue on new-build inspection reports for the past decade. Therefore, instilling the right skillset in youngsters aiming to take up this most traditional and vital of trades will be essential to delivering properties that perform as designed.

Owen Coyle continued: “In the months and years to come, we hope Keyskills will have played a meaningful part in supporting the recruitment and training of the bricklayers we need to meet our future building needs. We look forward to hearing from education partners who are keen to join us on this exciting journey.”

Don’t miss out on this unique training opportunity, visit our Keyskills page to find out how you can take part in this exciting new initiative.

Lee Marley Brickwork Apprentices – each attends their local college weekly to train in bricklaying.