FREE TRAINING SEMINARS IS JUST THE TICKET FOR LOCAL BUILDERS

Leading construction industry partners successfully launched the first of a series of free training sessions for local small building companies in Exeter on 1 February at Matford Centre on Marsh Barton.  Sponsored by premier builders merchants, Bradfords Building Supplies, it attracted over 50 attendees.  Rolling out across the South West over the next couple of months it delivers a major new green and low carbon training initiative which will prove to be a great business opportunity for the local smaller builder.  The main topics covered are conservation of energy, ventilation, heating, electrics and the new water safety and usage regulations. 'I've been updated' van stickers were allocated to each attendee at the end of the one day workshop.  This means that builders can demonstrate they have been fully briefed on the latest industry changes and have the essential knowledge required to offer ongoing advantages and service to their clients.

(L-R) Mike Kerslake Area Sales Manager, Bradfords Building Supplies, Tom Harper Director of Constructing Excellence SW, Anna Thompson Director of Training LABC, Dave Easterlow General Builder, Yvonne Mazzotta H& S Awareness Officer HSE and Andrew Sutton Associate Director BRE  SW

Bradfords Building Supplies Limited with 27 branches nationwide including Cornwall outlets in Redruth, Liskeard and a new branch in St Austell due to open this spring, has teamed up with key national construction industry organisations  including Local Authority Building Control (LABC), Constructing Excellence South West, BRE, HSE and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The series of one day training seminars being held across the South West region provides updates for builders on important legislation changes with the unique opportunity to meet experts in each of their individual fields and to share information and concerns with associates in their industry. The Cornish seminar will be held at The Dragon Centre in Bodmin on the 16^th February 2011 with the programme eventually being rolled out nationally.

Mike Kerslake, Area Sales Manager for Bradfords Building Supplies Ltd, Exeter. Says: “We were keen to support the key industry organisations in the region and Exeter was a natural choice as the first venue to launch this new initiative.  We were very pleased with the turn out and are hoping to increase numbers across the region as we roll out the programme; it is then the intention to push this out nationally.  The sticker for the van proved very popular with the builders as it adds value to the great service they already provide and offers peace of mind to their customers."

Director of Constructing Excellence speaking at the first seminar in Exeter.

Tom Harper Director Constructing Excellence says: "85% all construction companies employs 5 and less people therefore it is good for the industry to build knowledge and expertise in the local sector.  By displaying the 'I've been updated' van stickers it shows that small building companies are staying up to date with technical issues, regulations and challenges which gives consumer confidence.”

Further events will be held at Bodmin, Poole and Taunton.  Places are limited and allocated on a “first come” basis.  For more information please visit: www.bradfords.co.uk