In the construction industry the skills shortage is profound. CITB estimates that 216,800 new workers will need to come into the industry by 2025 just to meet demand. This September saw Gelder Group take on 10 new apprentices across its departments, these include bricklayers, joiners, plasterers, plumbers, administrators and a mechanic.
Gelder Group was founded by Steve Gelder MBE FCGI who himself started his career as an apprentice, on the new intake of apprentices he had this to say:
We’ve always had a 10% or more ratio of apprentices in our workforce and we’ve maintained that throughout Covid when other construction companies reduced or completely withdrew their apprentice programmes, we are immensely proud of the quality and commitment of our apprentice team and I’m looking forward to working with the new intakes.