NEWS

Sporn Construction contributed to an article on apprenticeships in the construction industry in the Daily Mail this week. Christopher White was interviewed by Lauren Thompson of the Daily Mail regarding his experience of working at Sporn Construction and how the apprenticeship system works.

Christopher is part of the estimating team at Sporn Construction. He joined our company aged 16 as a carpentry apprentice. As a result of years of external and in house training Christopher has progressed to his current position. Robin Sporn, Director, commented ” We have detailed appraisal procedures specifically designed to tailor training to the individual, to ensure as a company we utilise all of their current and potential skills and furthermore so that as an individual they can achieve their full potential. We are very proud of Christopher for his continued enthusiasm to learn and progress and his excellent achievements.”

Christopher White said ” It was quite daunting speaking to a journalist from the Daily Mail. I hope my career so far will inspire others to enter into the construction industry. I had never considered a career as an Estimator however when Robin approached me and said he believed I had the necessary skills I trusted his judgement and was eager to have a go. It was made clear to me that if I did not enjoy the new position or if I was not right for the position then I could return to carpentry. I have received in depth training and massive support from the company. I love my job as an Estimator and feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity.”

Sporn Construction were lucky enough to be given the rare opportunity of contributing to the construction of the worlds largest rocking horse. Mark, a member of our carpentry team was delighted to carve a portion of the horses tail.  The horse is the project of The Rocking Horse Shop, specialists in the creation of beautiful bespoke rocking horses.   www.rockinghorse.co.uk.  

The project is due to be completed later in the year.  Mark commented ” World Skills was not what I had expected, I had no idea of the huge scale of the event. The rocking horse was magnificent and it was truly a unique opportunity.”

Robin Sporn had the opportunity to meet Mr Stephen Farry, the Education and Skills Minister for Northern Ireland.It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss the current curriculum for apprenticeships.                   

The minister was extremely fortunate to receive  tuition from Adam Hall, a member of our masonry team at Sporn Construction.

Sporn Construction are extremely honoured to have been representatives of the Federation of Master Builders at the prestigious World Skills 2011 held at the Excel in London last weekend. Robin(Director), Debi(PR Manager), Adam(Masonry craftsman), Mark ( Carpentry craftsman), were invited to join the FMB as exhibitors at the convention. World skills is the fourth largest competition in the world featuring very closely to the Olympics. Participants from all over the world compete to showcase their skills, in carpentry, masonry, electrical works, plumbing and indeed skills outside the construction industry such as IT and marketing. The event is attended by government officials, prestigious companies along with thousands of people wanting to learn more about certain skills.

The Federation of Master Builders utilised the event to promote not only themselves, the largest professional body inthe construction industry but also to improve the face of the construction industry. Robin Sporn commented ” We were truly honoured to have been chosen by the Federation of Master Builders to be exhibitors along with FMB key personnel at the prestigious World Skills 2011. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet government ministers, showcase our master craftsman at Sporn Construction and also to meet the young people, and thier families, who are considering a career in the construction industry. It was a very positive feeling to be able to encourage and advise what will hopefully be the next generation of craftsman in the industry. I have tremendous admiration for the FMB for their continued efforts to improve the reputation of the whole industry. I very much share with the FMB the objective of achieving the professional reputation of the construction industry, and the master craftsman within the industry,  that is truly deserved.”