Paving the way for next generation of the construction industry

With a range of in-house resources available, the business also works in conjunction with Higher and Further Education institutions such as Leeds College of Building and Leeds Beckett University to train up the next generation of the construction industry.

Leeds College of Building Principal Ian Billyard says: “We take great pride in the role we play in shaping the future of the region’s construction industry and we are extremely proud of our longstanding relationship with Caddick Construction.  Our work with Caddick demonstrates our ability to work alongside leading construction companies, to deliver high quality and relevant training that continually forms the foundations of the long and successful careers that our students and apprentices enjoy.” 

Leeds born and bred Joseph Flannery, who is 22 and a Leeds College of Building alumnus, joined Caddick Construction three years ago as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor. His role is full time but he spends a number of days at Leeds Beckett University each semester. He comes from a family of builders and was given a taste of the industry when he was 15 and joined his father onsite. From that point, he was keen to enter into the world of construction but wanted to take a more professional route, so decided to train as a Quantity Surveyor. His most notable projects so far are Kilner Way in Sheffield and Liverpool Shopping Park on Edge Lane.

“Given that most of my family is in construction, it felt like the most natural thing in the world,” says Joseph. “However I knew I didn’t want to follow the most obvious route of working onsite. I spent some time looking into the various different roles and I was most drawn to becoming a Quantity Surveyor because of the opportunity of working both on and off site.

Joseph talks about the importance of being ‘on the job’: “Working at Caddick has given me a great step in the right direction. I’ve learnt so much whilst building my confidence in being able to work independently. I may be at assistant level but I’m treated as one of the team and have key responsibilities, so I’m very accountable.”

Figures from The Construction Industry Training Board reveal that the construction industry needs to attract 35,740 new recruits each year until 2021, with particularly high demand for professional roles and wood occupations. The growth across the UK will be driven by infrastructure as a number of key projects commence, including HS2, followed by private housing.

Leeds College of Building offers more than 200 courses across a huge range of disciplines, and has built a reputation for first-class education and training.  The College is an approved Apprenticeship Levy provider and offers a wide range of Apprenticeships in traditional trades and technical Apprenticeship routes, together with two Higher Level Apprenticeships in Construction Management (Sustainability) covering four Pathways (Building Surveying, Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering) and Facilities Management which offer university equivalent work based education.