Cambridgeshire: Skills boost for construction workers by Hopkins Homes

The ‘Skills Bootcamp’ offers workers involved in the initial phases of housebuilding and construction the opportunity to complete a free, bespoke 16-week training programme which will cover five short courses. 

As part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee which helps everyone gain skills for life, the ‘Skills Bootcamp’ will help workers gain qualifications and certificates in seven core competencies, including a Level 2 NVQ, CSCS and CPCS accreditations, and NPORS.  

Hopkins Homes is one of the first housebuilders to offer this to their employees, contractors and suppliers in the UK. 

To support construction skills and jobs across East Anglia, Hopkins Homes is not only offering these courses to their own colleagues, but also offering them to their contractors, suppliers and partners involved in the construction supply chain free of charge.  

The housebuilder is encouraging its contractors to sign up to the scheme while funding is available. 

Backed by the Department for Education and Construction Skills People, the scheme could fund courses for hundreds of construction workers. 

After an initial enrolment event, the cohort will begin their 16-week courses during the summer and will complete their qualifications before the end of this year. 

Group Head of Quality Assurance and Training at Hopkins Homes, Shane Vinyard, said: “For many years, we have been tackling a significant skills shortage across the engineering and construction sectors. 

“We believe our role in supporting skills, jobs and professional development extends beyond our own team and we hope the ‘Skills Bootcamp’ will go some way to addressing the skills shortage and supporting workers with additional qualifications throughout our region.” 

Contractors, suppliers and construction workers interested in the programme can contact academy@hopkinshomes.co.uk to find out more and to check their eligibility to enrol on the course