In 2005 Minett Group commenced a training project for the 14-16 age groups in Wellingborough with the help of the local LSC. Support for the project came not only from schools in Wellingborough but also from Northampton, Rushden, Wollaston and Oundle. Due to increased demand the company moved the project to its newly established training centre in Wollaston. The students attend on a one day a week basis and work towards a Foundation Construction Certificate in Building Craft Occupations. Currently there are more than 150 students on the course.

Word of the course soon spread to other schools in the county and in September 2006 a similar project commenced in Kettering with 80 pupils attending the course in the grounds of Montagu School. Such was the popularity of the course that student numbers have now increased to more than 130.

The training is intended to replicate as much as possible the conditions on a building site and since the commencement of the projects we have received only positive comments from the participating schools. Our style of training is designed to motivate and engage the pupils with an emphasis on the practical rather than the theory. Some schools have even stated that they have seen a remarkable transition in the overall attitude and application of pupils attending the projects during the remainder of the school week.

We recognise that the construction industry is still a male dominated industry and accordingly we promote the participation of girls on the course.

We also promote the courses to young people who are significantly disengaged from current learning patterns and have achieved extraordinary results by reason of our positive and motivational style of teaching.

A progression route has also been established for those pupils on the schools projects who have shown the required ability and the correct attitude by inviting them to apply for one of the highly desirable places on our full apprenticeship programme.

For more details on schools projects and apprenticeships call David Neal on 01933-666955.

ADDRESS: Units 1 & 2 Raymond Close, Wollaston,
Northants, NN29 7RG