Cambridge Regional College Construction Careers Fair backed by major employers

Major employers are backing a construction careers day at Cambridge Regional College this weekend to find the skilled and trainee workers they need to fill an industry skills gap.

The region’s booming economy and the new £1.5 billion upgrade of the A14 has brought a big call for more skilled workers, particularly in plant operations and maintenance.

To fill the gap, businesses are looking for apprentices to train in the key skills they need – joining forces with Cambridge Regional College to provide the necessary training.

Among the business who will be exhibiting at the careers fair at CRC’s King’s Hedges campus on 24 June are Flannery plant hire, Blackwells, A Plant, Morgan Sindall, Barhale, Liebherr, Lynch and Walters. Many will have job and apprenticeship vacancies available on the day.

The hands-on event, with heavy plant on show and simulators to try, follows a similar one earlier this year when more than 400 job-hunters from as far away as Glasgow and Exeter attended,

The college, which has launched new apprenticeships in plant operations and plant maintenance to help fill the skills gap, is working with employers to support the growth in the region.

CRC’s director of employer engagement Paul Skitt said the college was working closely with businesses to fill the construction skills gap.

“The June construction day will build on the success of a similar day in January, with well over 400 visitors attending and registering interest for specific apprenticeship jobs or courses,” he said.

“We are engaging closely with businesses linked to the A14 project to ensure the college can support the training and skills required to ensure its success and looking forward to continuing to develop specialist apprenticeships for the sector.”