Member Article

North East training provider lands Combat to Construction contract

North East training provider Nordic Focus Training Group (NFTG) has won a significant contract to help ex-military staff gain employment after service.

NFTG has built a bespoke 18 month training programme for one of the UK’s leading house builders, Persimmon Homes and its Combat to Construction scheme.

This scheme has been designed to help any ex-forces personnel who want build a career in construction.

The major contract with Persimmon has been piloted at NFTG’s new training centre in Darlington, with plans to expand the training to London, then nationwide.

The new recruits, who have worked in the Army, Royal Navy and RAF, will be retrained to assist Persimmon reach their target of building 13,000 new homes in the next year.

With a commitment to train 500 apprentices in bricklaying and joinery, NFTG has employed eight people to its team for the project, and has already inducted 40 people onto the esteemed programme.

Executive chairman at NFTG, Peter Robinson, said: “We’re so proud of the partnership we have with Persimmon Homes. It is a fantastic opportunity to get our ex-service men and women into long-term employment by giving them sustainable jobs.

“We’re gearing up our service in the construction sector to help fill the skills gap. It’s a priority area and we believe this contract can help significantly improve the skills shortage.

“They [the apprentices] are exceptional workers and have a great attitude and commitment.

“They are enjoying learning new skills and are really grateful for the experience.”

Group HR director at Persimmon Homes, Richard Latham, said: “We are keen to develop a long-term partnership with Nordic Focus Training Group.

“We previously spoke to a number of colleges and other training providers, however NFTG stood head and shoulders above the rest by virtue of their willingness to embrace the project in its entirety and their “can do” approach to the challenges we gave them.”

He added: “The classroom and workshop elements of the programme are delivered at NFTG’s Darlington premises so this will be an integral part of the programme until the other facilities are up and running.

“The majority of the first intake to the programme are all relatively local, from the North and North East, but Combat to Construction is a nationwide programme so trainees will be travelling to Darlington from all over the country.”

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