Conservative MP for Broxtowe, Anna Soubry, has learned how Ilkeston-based house builder Fairgrove is investing in the future talent of the building trade during a visit to its redevelopment of the former Kimberley Brewery last week.
Ms Soubry visited Fairgrove’s Hanson’s View development on the site of the old Kimberley Brewery and met six new apprentices that have recently joined Fairgrove across multiple trades.
These six new apprentices will be spread across bricklaying and joinery and follows recent success with a number of trainees completing apprenticeships for the company. One apprentice, Jordan Haywood, won Apprentice of the Year last year while studying at Webs Training College.
The new-starters will be joining Fairgrove’s current team in redeveloping Hanson’s View in Kimberley – creating a unique development of characterful refurbished old properties and stylish contemporary new homes on this currently run-down site. It’s a development that is generating much excitement amongst the local community and further afield thanks to its prime location, and Anna Soubry was impressed with Fairgrove’s vision for the local area.
“It is a credit to Fairgrove to be investing in the future so heavily and hiring apprentices within the building trade,” said Ms Soubry. “Meeting the skills shortage and continuing to build quality new homes is crucial in order to meet demand, and I am delighted to see Fairgrove is tackling this issue head on,” she added.
In addition to the trade apprentices, Fairgrove has also appointed an 18-year-old school leaver as a Management Trainee, and will be sponsoring him and another staff member through a university degree apprenticeship course at the University of Derby.
“Fairgrove has been in business for 22 years and for the majority of that time, like similar businesses to ours, we have largely worked with subcontractors,” explains Fairgrove MD and East Midlands Chamber of Commerce board member, Steve Midgley. “There is a national skills shortage within certain trades, and as a company, we’re keen to develop trainee programmes in key areas with large shortfalls in order to create a skilled in-house workforce.”
Steve Midgley continues, “For a small company this is a massive investment in training and the future, but we truly believe it is the way forward to set us apart in our industry. We want to build a team that is proud to produce the best quality new homes in the region and our aim is to train the next generation so that we continue these high standards for many years to come.”
For more information about Fairgrove, visit the website at www.fairgrove.co.uk
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We recognise that our operations have a direct impact on the environment, therefore we endeavour to work with suppliers, customers, Local Authorities and other agencies to preserve and enhance the environment for all generations. Consequently, we are committed to:
Reducing the environmental impact
of our products through the use of improved layout, design, and specification, while complying with all applicable environmental legislation, regulations and standards.
Improving efficiency
in the use of land, energy, water and raw materials.
Taking positive action
to minimise waste and encourage recycling wherever possible.
Implementing training programmes
Increasing awareness of environmental issues for office and site-based staff.
Undertaking an annual review
of the company’s environmental policy in order to allow challenging targets to be set, ahead of government legislation.
Defining quality as opposed to specification
Quality is about how well we build; how level and flat surfaces are, how perfect the plastering is, and how everything works. Whether you’re buying your first starter home or a bespoke mansion, the quality of every Fairgrove new build will be of the same high standard.
Specification, on the other hand, is about the standard of the fittings, and may also include the quantity of TV and telephone points or home networking. Specification will vary considerably with the price and possibly location of your new home.
Setting higher standards of quality
All new homes are built to National Standards including Building Regulations and either NHBC or an alternative warranty provider’s requirements.
At Fairgrove we build to a very high quality level which we set as at least 10% better than NHBC Standards. The designs of the homes we build are constantly being updated to incorporate the latest national requirements – including energy-efficiency.
Specification choices – save or spend
Specification – ie the type and quantity of fittings we include in a new home – will vary from site to site and from house type to house type.
Generally the more expensive the house, the higher the specification. This can be just as much about style and design as about the quality of those fittings. If we are building you a Custom Build home, this is the area where you can either save money or completely go to town!
