New Employer Academy Launches With Community Appeal

The latest Employer Academy to launch at Derby College aims to provide young people with the multi skills they will need in the changing construction industry.

MBS, a Derby-based construction company which employs 30 plus staff across all the construction trades, has teamed up with the College to launch the MBS Construction Skills Academy.

One of the first projects that the students will be involved in is the MBS’ annual Christmas community project  – offering a deserving individual or family the chance to get a project completed in their home free of charge.

MBS are asking people to nominate people they felt deserved a helping hand.  Among the previous recipients was a care worker who was nominated by her family to have the bathroom in her Derby home repaired in recognition of her tireless work looking after her elderly father.

MBS decided to spread the festive good cheer even further and, instead of just repairing the broken floorboards and sink, they fitted a brand new bathroom free of charge.

Projects for this year’s appeal could include replacing a boiler, windows or doors, fixing faulty central heating, roofing repairs, carrying out plumbing, putting up security lighting or mending leaking guttering.

MBS, based in Alfreton Road, specialise in all aspects residential construction and improvement work across the Midlands, in addition to providing planned and reactive commercial maintenance and project delivery throughout the UK.

MBS Managing Director Adam Stevenson explained: “Previous recipients of this work in the run up to Christmas have been very well received by the local community and we are keen to involve the students on the MBS Construction Skills Academy at Derby College in this year’s project.

“Not only will this be great work experience for the students, it will also enable us to do a project at someone’s house that will put a smile back on their face and recognise their own contribution to the local community – whatever that may be.”

Students on a number of construction courses including brickwork, joinery, plastering, electrical and plumbing at the College’s campuses in Pride Park will be invited to apply for the Academy.

They will then complete work experience placements, special projects including community refurbishment programmes, have special tutorials with the MBS team and will have a guaranteed interview for apprenticeships at the company at the end of their course.

Mr Stevenson explained the reason behind teaming up with Derby College to launch the Academy.

“In the residential building sector and the commercial maintenance industry, we need multi-skilled tradesmen who have the knowledge and appreciation of the requirements of each element of construction. 

“This means that they work together more effectively and efficiently on site to get a job completed on time and within budget.

“The demand for maintenance operatives or multiskilled tradesmen, is growing rapidly in the construction industry and our Academy will therefore concentrate on providing young people with broad skills that will be invaluable in their working lives.

“We are a growing company and are looking to take on up to five apprentices a year.  I hope that the Derby College students will be first in the queue for these jobs in the future and I relish the opportunity to help to mould these young people into the local workforce of the future.”

Derby College Business Development Director April Hayhurst added: “The MBS Construction Skills Academy dovetails perfectly with the existing brickwork and groundworks academies which, together, offer students a broad overview and experience across the construction trades.

“Construction is a growth industry and a D2N2 priority so I am delighted that we now have every aspect of the industry catered for through our innovative Employer Academy programme to ensure that young people have the skills that businesses need in this area.

“The work experience that the students will gain through this initial project will be invaluable to improve their customer and communication skills and utilise what they have learnt at College in a real work situation.”

To make a nomination, please send details of the recipient, why you think they should be considered and what work they need carrying out in their home to: MBS Derby, Unit 2, Coleman’s Yard, Alfreton Road, Derby DE21 4AL or email adam@mbsderby.com

Applications close on Friday November 27 2015.

Back to news