The voices of the future builders of North Yorkshire

Some of the Yorkshire coast’s construction apprentices have spoken about what their skill-learning has meant to them and how it has changed their career prospects –these insights have been shared with TopicUK at a time when skill shortages are reaching huge levels across the region.

"If not for the skills village, I would be working in a factory. It has given me much more opportunity in life.

"It's brought me different knowledge about laying bricks, laying steels, lintels, everything I need to know when I get on the job on-site."

Joinery apprentice Josh Jenkinson, age 18

"I think it's the best for everyone really, to get a trade.

"Everyone says how good it is."

Bricklayer Apprentice Liam Giles, age 28

"Been here a year, was a PE teacher.

"The difference for me is that it has given me a career.

"It's important because it gives me the skills and knowledge ... to do bricklaying properly on a day-to-day basis."

In interviews, the learners and apprentices of the Construction Skills Village, have spoken about their new skills in plastering, bricklayers, joinery, groundwork and adult education and plant training.

The company is run by Graham and Fiona Ratcliffe and supporters include the Scarborough Town Deal board, local MPs Robert Goodwill and Kevin Hollinrake, North Yorkshire County Council and Scarborough Borough Council.

What the apprentices say …

Bricklayer Apprentice Nick Sadler, age 26

"The skills village has been really important for me to learn new skills - and to allow me to earn more money for myself and my family.

"The alternative for me was getting RAF engineering but finding an apprenticeship at the skills village means that I'm still local.

"I can live where I want to be, without having to move away.

"And the skills village supports us fully through that. It shows us what to do, what we are doing, regular talks, so we know where we are.

"Through the skills village and through my employer (P&N Wilson Joinery), I've managed to pull together a career for the rest of my life.

"I joined this course only knowing bits ... now it's going to be a life-long job.

"Every day that I come to work, it's like a hobby really, so much that it doesn't feel like work. It's really good.

"It's what I love doing every single day, day in, day out.

Plasterer Apprentice Kevin Yates, age 17

"Without plastering, I wouldn't be in work now. I'm lucky to have an apprenticeship.

The difference it has made to me is learning a wide variety of work, different aspects, it helps me with knowledge - all aspects of plastering."

Joinery Apprentice Ricky Wood, age 29:

"I'm with Beyond Housing. I'm learning new skills and diversity.

"If not for this site, I'd be working in a factory or any other job that supports my family.

"I've learned more maths and English because I didn't really pay attention at school - I didn't think I need them.

"The skills village is very important. It's not like a normal college, I work on-site so it's difficult from being sat in a classroom be ing told how to do things."

Groundworker Apprentice Owen Hunt, age 22:

"It's a nice place to learn, you get the skills, the knowled ge, one to one.

"I don't think there's many places like this where you can get the help and assistance from someone who are out of the trade themselvesputting you in the right direction

"I don't where I'd see myself without th is opportunity.

"I like working outdoors, it's a grea t environment."

Groundworker Apprentice James Stamp, age 19:

"I've learned all kinds of stuff ... concreting, blockwor k, drainage ...

"I like this work because I'm outside, not stuck in a warehouse.

"If I wasn't doing a groundwork apprenticeship, I'd probably be stacking shelves in a supermarket.

"The skills village gives young people a chance to get a career - and doing something they enjoy."

Plus Trainer-Assessor Lewis Weller gives his perspective on the importance of the apprenticeships:

"We teach knowledge, skills and behaviour. It's important that we do this so they are ready for the sites. It's not like a normal college, we don't work from text books - we do 'crossover training' so by the time we build anything, it would be exactly like it should be. So we are going to get people ready to go on site and have a career for life.

"Ninety per cent of what we do is very hands-on, practical. We like to work with other trades ... so we are able to make these lads the polished item, the finished article, ready to go out there and do it, and earn a lot of money.

"It's important that the skills village is here.

"I've never been somewhere that gives you the opportunity for them to do that."

"It's also important to talk about the adult education side ..

"We work closely with the job centres and unemployed people, all get opportunities to do plant training for free ...

Diggers, dumpers, 360 excavators, slinger signals, banksman, health and safety, all kinds - and try to help people get into employment as well.

"It's not just about young people."