Pictured: Pam Rayment and Phil Walker of G F Tomlinson Birmingham Ltd and Dr Christine Braddock CBE and Trudy Burrows of Birmingham Metropolitan College display the Skills Pledge for the construction industry 

27 local companies have pledged to boost skills training for young people with a view to delivering construction and housing improvements including sustainable "green" technologies in more homes and businesses across the region. A Skills Pledge led by G F Tomlinson Birmingham Ltd and Birmingham Metropolitan College will provide apprenticeships and training to a range of construction industry specialists.

Phil Walker, General Manager and Director of G F Tomlinson Birmingham Ltd commented: "G F Tomlinson have always invested in apprenticeships and technical trainees, but it has been evident over the last 18 months that with rising unemployment figures, it is our responsibility to do more, as a well established building contractor operating throughout the East and West Midlands. 

"Our premier supply chain embraced the Skills Pledge initiative.  Our dedicated Apprentice & Trainee Co-ordinator Pam Rayment, has provided the guidance and 27 contractors pledged to support the training of their current staff along with creating a number of apprenticeship and training opportunities.  2012 promises to be a very exciting and rewarding time for us all involved."

Apprenticeships in engineering and qualifications in construction and sustainable energies will be delivered at Birmingham Metropolitan College's state-of-the-art Baxi Group Innovation Academy in industry standard engineering workshops. 

The qualifications will provide opportunities for learners to be trained for traditional construction skills and the rapidly expanding environmental technology sector. It is predicted that over 1 million people could be in "green" jobs by the end of the decade. A new Sustainability Centre will also promote energy and resource efficiency through solar photovoltaic solutions, solar thermal systems, micro generation boilers, ground source heat pumps, air to air heat pumps, wind power and grey water recycling.

Principal and Chief Executive of Birmingham Metropolitan College Dr Christine Braddock CBE added: "The Skills Pledge demonstrates how committed these 27 construction companies in the G F Tomlinson supply chain are to providing relevant education and training for their employees. The businesses that have signed up have identified skills gaps and opportunities to evolve and progress, which the College will support through an innovative and effective curriculum.

"With environmental sustainability increasing its impact on the way we live and work, we are confident that G F Tomlinson and their supply chain members will pave the way for other organisations to support youth unemployment, as well as deliver more green technology across the wider region."

For further information about Birmingham Metropolitan College, telephone 0121 362 1125 or email training@bmetc.ac.uk

For further information about G F Tomlinson Birmingham Ltd on 0121 327 2660 or email reception@gftomlinson.co.uk