BEIS Minister for Industry kicks off National Apprentice Week by meeting apprentices working in the home improvement sector

To mark the start of National Apprentice Week, The National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) hosted Industry Minister Lee Rowley on a tour of Ideal Standard where he met with apprentices from all parts of the repair, maintenance, and home improvement sector. 

Among those apprentices was James Binstead, Apprentice Building Control Surveyor in the District Surveyor’s Office of the City of London Corporation. (Pictured far right)

James told the Minister “Being part of a low carbon future is really motivating. Helping people understand how improving their homes can make a huge impact on the planet is inspiring”

James is one of the 3,500 strong network of building control surveyors and technicians operating across the UK under the umbrella of LABC. LABC have developed an award-winning programme of learning and qualifications to support surveyors at all stages of their career, including an apprenticeship degree with the University of Wolverhampton. 

The NHIC is the umbrella organisation for the UK repair, maintenance, and home improvement sector, and works across its membership, broader industry, and government to improve the nation’s homes together. As members of the NHIC, LABC have been part of the team that has already delivered 200,000 upgrades throughout the pandemic and are committed members of the supply chain ready to continue and increase delivery.

Industry Minister Lee Rowley said: “Marking the start of National Apprenticeship Week, I was hugely encouraged to hear the positive stories from apprentices on a brilliant visit to Ideal Standard today. We understand the need to further increase the number of places for apprentices in the home improvement sector and I look forward to working closely with businesses and industry to find ways of achieving that.”

Anna Scothern, Chief Executive of the NHIC said “If we are to meet carbon targets and build a safe future for our children, we must act now to decarbonise existing homes. Not only will it be better for the planet, but it will also be better for our pockets too. An efficient home is more comfortable and costs less to run”

Anna Thompson, LABC Head of Engagement and NHIC Non-Executive Director said “LABC is extremely proud of the future talent we are growing throughout England and Wales, not least our apprentices. The building control profession must gear up now if we are to meet the demands of the Building Safety Regulator and the new Building Regulations. Our apprentices are part of this new, stronger, and more resilient regulatory framework, working alongside their more experienced mentors. Everyone must play their part to encourage new entrants and help them to flourish”

National Apprenticeships Week runs from 7th – 13th February and brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity apprenticeships bring.

The theme for NAW22 is “Build the Future” and so it was fitting that the Minister for Industry Lee Rowley MP chose to open the week by meeting apprentices from the home improvement sector – the sector which has so much to offer in support of the governments “build back better” and “levelling up” campaigns.

#NAW2022 #BuildtheFuture #AskAnApprentice