Member Article

Barratt Homes host ‘Constructing Futures’ breakfast for subcontractors

Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, which encompasses the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands, hosted its first ‘Constructing Futures’ subcontractor breakfast meeting in York last week, highlighting its on-going commitment to supporting businesses across the Yorkshire region.

The event, held at the head office on Monks Cross, saw dozens of subcontractors including painters, electricians and plumbers come together to discuss the opportunities available when working with a housebuilder. The meetings were introduced to help businesses discuss how to satisfy the demand for new homes – helping to deliver much needed housing to the local community, whilst also benefiting the local business economy.

Firms are still struggling to find the skilled workers they need to meet the nation’s housebuilding targets despite the Government pledging a £5bn boost to help galvanise the industry[1]. An estimated 230,000 construction jobs are set to be created throughout the UK in the next five years[2], but the industry is struggling to keep up with the pace of change - something which Barratt Developments believes is holding back housebuilders across the country from meeting ambitious build targets. To combat this, Barratt has set up the quarterly drop in sessions to give local subcontractors the opportunity to discuss upcoming projects, working processes and to share best practice to ensure continued growth.

Steve Mattinson, Construction Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, commented:

“We really value the input and support our subcontractors provide us with throughout the year, so we’re keen to help their businesses when it comes to maximising opportunities with Barratt. Whether it’s chatting with one of our Directors, getting clarity on a working process of discovering how to grow a business and profits, the breakfast meetings are a way of ensuring our team are on hand to listen, provide advice and help.

“We also hope the Constructing Futures meetings will dispel some of the myths about working with a large housebuilder and showcase the fantastic opportunities available to hard working people who want to work in the sector. In partnership with this, we will also be teaming up with schools and colleges across Yorkshire to educate youngsters on the wealth of career opportunities available within the construction industry, to ensure we have enough skilled people to build the homes of the future.”

[1] http://news.sky.com/story/government-assigns-1635bn-to-build-25000-new-homes-10603966

[2] http://www.citb.co.uk/documents/research/csn%202016-2020/csn_national_2016.pdf

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .