The vital role played by timber merchants and suppliers within the construction supply chain over the past two years could not be clearer. Despite the many challenges stemming from the global pandemic, they have ensured supplies to customers, enabling building projects to progress to completion.

Yet, when it comes to career choices, the rewarding opportunities offered by merchanting are not well understood. The range of apprenticeships available through BMF Apprenticeship Plus provide an excellent gateway to career pathways in the sector but relatively few careers’ advisers are aware of the variety of different roles that are involved in any merchanting operation.

To overcome this lack of knowledge, the BMF’s pioneering Ambassador programme harnesses the experience and enthusiasm of people working in our industry to spread the word in school and college visits. This is backed by our dedicated website, www. buildingmaterialscareers.com, our use of platforms such as the Construction Leadership Council’s “Go Construct” website and attendance at apprenticeship exhibitions.

If we are to maintain the long-term health of the industry, we need to bring young people into our operations and encourage them to stay and develop their careers. For those employers who are concerned about the extra administration employing apprentices may involve, the BMF Apprenticeship Plus service helps merchants to bring more young people into the industry by taking away the administrative burdens.

This year the appointment of LEAP, the apprenticeship delivery team to the Travis Perkins Group, as new full-service providers will significantly expand and enrich the BMF Apprenticeship Plus offer.

Initially, the LEAP team will be delivering 12 apprenticeship programmes for the BMF from Level 2 to Level 5 including trade supplier, hire controller, sales and management. Each programme is designed around the specialist needs of the sector to help learners reach their potential. Every apprentice is supported by an apprentice coach to build their skills, knowledge, and behaviours to help them develop their career.

LEAP (Learn as you Earn Apprenticeship Programmes), has a unique expertise working exclusively in the construction supply sector, with programmes designed and delivered by an award-winning 60-plus strong team of experienced merchants and educational specialists.

The LEAP approach has proved itself within the Travis Perkins Group, the Highbourne Group, which acquired the City Plumbing business and Wickes, where there are a total of over 1,000 apprentices enrolled onto a LEAP programme. These apprenticeships are proving a fantastic opportunity to nurture a more diverse workforce within the industry, their current intake being 40% female and 60% male, and encompassing an increasing number of BAME colleagues.

Interestingly, they found that the government’s Kickstart programme opened doors to a far wider demographic, helping them gain experience and resulting in an apprenticeship for many. As all apprenticeships embed maths and English throughout the programme, this can really help those with English as a second language, or those who didn’t achieve qualifications in these subjects at school.

Although apprenticeships are commonly associated with young people embarking on their career, they are a great way to develop new skills at any career stage. As well as their apprenticeship programmes, LEAP will be working with the BMF to develop a suite of early career programmes to help both education leavers and career changers to join the sector.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To find out more and discuss the funding available to offset training costs, please contact Kerry Wilson at kerry.wilson@bmf.org.uk or 02476 854982.