Dodds meets the apprentices

Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds has welcomed the opportunities available to apprentices as part of Government measures to encourage training and skills development in building a sustainable construction industry.

The Minister was speaking during a recent visit to the construction site of the new Model School for Girls in North Belfast when he met three apprentices who are currently working on this project. The apprentices are undertaking general site joinery works, general brickwork and electrical installation works.

Welcoming the employment of apprentices, Finance Minister Nigel Dodds said: “The Executive recognises the vital role a sustainable construction industry plays in the economy of Northern Ireland. The new public sector client requirement for main contractors to recruit one apprentice, either directly or through the supply chain for each £2million of construction project value, will make a significant contribution.”

A Sustainability Task Group, set up under the auspices of the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland has developed ‘Proposals For Promoting Equality And Sustainable Development By Sustainable Procurement In Construction’. These proposals, to be included in all new public sector construction contracts from December 2008, require contractors to deliver a range of economic, social and environmental measures aimed at delivering Government’s wider sustainability objectives.

Mr Dodds continued: “The Programme for Government identifies sustainability as a cross cutting theme and that building a sustainable future will be a key driver for social, economic and environmental policies. This contract is an excellent example of local firms working together to secure local projects and enhance our economy. The support provided to the apprentices in this scheme will not only improve their careers and future prospects but improve the sustainability of the construction industry as a whole”.

Notes to Editors:

1. The design and construction of the new Model School for Girls is being procured under the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Belfast Education and Library Board and Amey FMP. It involves many local firms, including Farrans (Construction) Ltd, McAdam Design, Caldwell Consulting, MWA Partnership Ltd, and Mott MacDonald.
2. The Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland (CIFNI) provides a strategically focused interface between representatives from Government and the construction industry, where both parties can consider matters of mutual interest.
3. CIFNI is comprised of officials drawn from the Government Construction Clients Group (GCCG), industry representatives drawn from the colleges of the Construction Industry Group for Northern Ireland (CIGNI) and Trade Union officials nominated by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
4. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7374 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.