THE Stourbridge-based Western Region of construction services company Mansell has launched its National Skills Academy for Construction with an event at Stourbridge College.

Guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley, councillor Melvyn Mottram and Michelle Mottram.

Presentations were given by organisations involved in the programme, including Mansell skills co-ordinator Shazad Ahmed, Mansell regional managing director Steve Davies and Judy Lowe, deputy chairman of CITB-ConstructionSkills.

Supply chain representatives, clients and stakeholders were told about the programme’s plans for the future to support training and skills in the West Midlands.

Mansell trainees Ben Shakespeare and Stephen Lediard, who have benefitted from apprenticeship training, were on hand to talk about their own experiences and successes.

Mansell was awarded National Skills Academy status in 2012. The company is now set to support local people across the region by offering training opportunities at all levels, delivered directly on site, rather than off site, through pre-established training courses.

National Skills Academy for Construction projects have been rolled out across the UK and are employer-led initiatives hosted by CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for Construction.

The projects aim to deliver high-quality, tailored training on site to prepare people for jobs, upskill the existing workforce and attract fresh talent into the industry.

Regional training manager at Mansell, Jeremy Lydiatt, said: “The event was a great way for us to celebrate the launch of our National Skills Academy for Construction here in the West Midlands.

“In addition, it has been an opportunity for Mansell to inform local supply chain representatives and clients what our plans for the future are. At Mansell we want to do our bit to help produce even more talent, not only for the West Midlands but also for the UK construction industry as a whole.”

Judy Lowe, deputy chairman of CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: “Mansell’s National Skills Academy is set to be a great success in the West Midlands. It will help to bring fresh talent into the industry and also ensure that we have the right skills for growth in the future.

“This programme is very much a collaboration between many leading construction organisations, all with one aim in mind - to produce the world-leading construction workforce of tomorrow and one that will support economic growth in the local and UK economy.”