Member Article

York College joins campaign to support young Yorkshire brickies

The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has taken part in a drive to boost the number of budding brickies in Yorkshire.

Alne-based York Handmade, the largest independent brickmaker in the north of England, teamed up with the Brick Development Association (BDA) at the #LOVEBRICK roadshow at York College this week.

The BDA is working with the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) to drive the study of bricklaying forward and increase the number of skilled bricklayers in the construction industry.

Mark Laksevics of York Handmade, explained: “We were delighted to take part in the BDA’s roadshow and to help to demonstrate the art of brick-making and laying to students at York College and answer their questions.

“Unfortunately, the number of skilled bricklayers in the UK is at an all-time low, following the credit crisis in 2008 and the downturn in the construction industry. Now the industry is in a phase of recovery and growth, the need for more apprenticeship schemes is essential to avoid a fall in output.

“This initiative, supported with funding from the Construction Skills Training Board (CITB), aims to raise the awareness and knowledge of brickwork and the important contribution it makes to the Built Environment.

Titled “#LOVEBRICK”, the initiative is being delivered to a number of colleges throughout the country in a series of workshops and presentations by the BDA, brick manufacturers and brickwork contractors.

Students will have access to specifically written technical guides, presentations and demonstrations, as well as regular communication through social media platforms.

Simon Hay, Chief Executive Officer for the BDA, comments: “We want to encourage people to learn the skills and crafts of bricklaying so it is essential we invest in the training and development of the next generation of bricklayers. Not only will this increase the jobs in the brick industry and the number of homes built, but we will be preserving one of the oldest and greatest building materials ever devised.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .