PlanBEE Expansion Shows Unemployment the Red Card

PlanBEE KickOff, an extension of the pioneering PlanBEE apprenticeship programme, has been created as part of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, which hopes to address the issues of youth unemployment exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The programme is a six month paid placement which will cover a range of construction disciplines, including architectural design, structural engineering and sustainable construction, as well as provide training.  The placement will be based at NUCASTLE, the new home for Newcastle United Foundation which is being designed by Ryder.

The programme will also provide the potential to join the PlanBEE apprenticeship upon completion.  PlanBEE was established by Ryder and Gateshead College in 2013 and welcomed its first cohort of students in 2016.  It is a bespoke development programme of on and off the job training combined with academic study, which provides a salary, a route to graduation and professional accreditation, and offers a guaranteed job upon successful completion.  It was named AJ100’s Collaboration of the Year in 2018 and Building’s Skills Initiative of the Year in 2017.

Helen Craddock, communications director at Ryder, said, “Young people are the future of our economy and workforce, yet they are the demographic most affected by the lack of employment caused by the pandemic.  As businesses, it is essential that we all work together to ensure young people are inspired and supported, and Ryder is so proud to be part of this.

“PlanBEE, which is now in its fifth year of operation, has been instrumental in providing young people with the skills and experience needed to work in the construction industry.  PlanBEE KickOff will expand on this and create even more career opportunities for young people in the north east”.

Peter Barker, partner at Ryder, said: “We’re delighted to be working with our partners to expand our successful PlanBEE apprenticeship programme. This will be a great opportunity for those in our local community who may have missed out on a career in design and construction to re-engage and develop their skills.

“The programme will offer exciting and diverse learning for young people to develop their skills, based on real project experience – empowering them to embark on a new career pathway into the construction industry”.