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New Initiative Brings Community and
Ecological Construction Together
Darren Bolger, MD of London Building Specialists, with over 20 years
experience in the industry, has been pioneering apprenticeships for
disadvantaged young people since 2011. This initiative, designed initially
by him for the DWP and JCP gives under 25-year-olds the opportunity
to access the construction sector, working with professional companies
and offers them the chance to build their future, resulting in long-term
vocational careers within the building and construction industry.
Now the scheme is being expanded to include training in environmentallyfriendly construction, and the apprentices are going to be housed in their
own local authority accommodation. Each apprentice will be trained in
both traditional working methods, and advanced ecological materials.
Darren Bolger says, “The apprenticeship schemes offers young people
work on projects within their communities. We have previously formed
partnerships through community link building, and we will now provide the
necessary mentoring to deliver long-term strategies, work and continued
progress to all apprentices under our scheme.
“Under the accreditation umbrella of A.C.E (Academy of
Construction Excellence) scheme, builders, construction
companies and personnel will be offered building projects in their
own localities, driving construction to local and community levels,
thus economically strengthening each community and offering
young people in the area work and training and long-term
vocational pros pects.”
Wandsworth Mayor Nicola Nardelli supports the scheme and
awarded the ‘Badge of Honour’ for “services to the community” to
Mr Bolger. There are ambitious plans to convene a summit of all
the 32 London Mayors in the spring to roll out the project capitalwide.
A further angle to the project is The Home Club, an online platform giving consumers the ability to receive full trade
discounts on fixtures, fittings and equipment normally only available to the trade. The Home Club members can
obtain these price reductions directly. Half the profits generated will be directed into managing and running the
apprenticeships. Darren Bolger says, “I wanted to put something back into both communities and the industry, by giving
young people the opportunity for vocational training, so they can build a solid career in the construction industry, and
learn the best practices, which involves approaching every project with the environmental impact in mind.”
The scheme is open to applications from London-based under 25s from all backgrounds. More details are here: www.
londonbuildingspecialists.com experts in superior loft conversions, extensions and refurbishments, which emphasise
quality build and environmental materials in their construction.
Join The Home Club:
www.darrenbolger.uk
www.thehomeclub.com
www.londonbuildingspecialists.com