With the demand for skilled workers in the UK construction sector at an all-time high, Fortem, a property services provider dedicated to improving social housing stock, is leading the charge in addressing workforce shortages and supporting local employment in Birmingham through its award-winning apprenticeship programme.

According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the sector must attract an additional 50,300 workers per year for the next five years to meet industry demand. This critical labour gap highlights the growing need for apprenticeships in order to train the next generation of skilled professionals.

As a national business with long-term social housing contracts that can span more than a decade, Fortem is also committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the communities in which it operates, and local employment plays a significant role in this.

“We make it a priority to recruit locally for all of our contracts. We offer apprenticeships in various disciplines such as carpentry, roofing, plumbing and bricklaying, and work closely with social landlord clients and local employment organisations to ensure our apprentice vacancies are accessible to everyone,” commented Kayleigh Johnson, Head of Talent and Development at Fortem.

One example of where this ‘recruit locally’ strategy has proved very successful is Fortem’s long- term partnership with Birmingham City Council, with 27 local apprentices and two management trainees currently employed to work on the contract.

Birmingham based Kyle Allen joined the Fortem apprenticeship scheme in September 2022 as a Repairs Apprentice specialising in bricklaying and feels that he has gained valuable skills and experience whilst working on the Birmingham City Council contract.

Kyle said, ““I am most proud of the extent to which I have improved my skills since progressing in my apprenticeship. I enjoy learning new skills from other experienced members of the team and it has given me the independence to work confidently on my own.”

Since 2002, Fortem has successfully trained over 350 apprentices nationwide, equipping them with valuable skills across trade professions, office roles, and specialist fields. Offering a unique earn-as- you-learn model, Fortem apprentices achieve Level 2 to Level 7 qualifications whilst gaining hands-on work experience.

Through its ‘Growing Our Own’ initiative, Fortem continues to develop skilled workers by investing in apprentices, tradespeople, and staff training—a crucial factor in ensuring the company’s ongoing success and the resilience of local communities. The firm also works closely with established learning partners to update employees’ technical knowledge, introducing new products and systems to prepare workers for the evolving demands of the housing sector.

Over the next four years, Fortem plans to recruit over 100 apprentices and management trainees from local communities across the country, further strengthening its talent pipeline.

“Looking ahead, we plan to expand our apprenticeship opportunities, particularly in our retrofit workstream,” commented Kayleigh Johnson Head of Talent and Development, Fortem. “With the government’s Net Zero targets, there’s a significant need for upskilling in green technologies. Fortem is committed to providing the training and support needed to help apprentices gain these in-demand skills and we are looking forward to what the future holds for both Fortem and our apprentices.”

For more information on Fortem, visit www.fortem.co.uk.