A Rochdale building firm has welcomed its local MP Paul Waugh, to learn more about how it is supporting the next generation of construction workers in the region.
Established 35 years ago, Jackson Jackson & Sons Ltd provides construction, maintenance and refurbishment services to a range of sectors including education, housing and healthcare, supporting projects across the North West and Yorkshire.
The business welcomed Mr Waugh to its headquarters in Rochdale where they discussed the firm’s apprenticeship training programme, which has been supported by the Greater Manchester Levy Matchmaking Service.
During the visit, Paul met the firm’s apprentices and heard about its wider training programme, supported by the Greater Manchester Levy Matchmaking Service. One standout success is Carrie Wilkinson, who joined Jackson Jackson & Sons Ltd in 2022 and was recently named SME Apprentice of the Year at Lloyds Banking Group’s Apprenticeship & Skills Awards. She has worked on a range of renovation projects and completed a Level 2 qualification in site carpentry and joinery.
In total, the business has taken on 13 apprentices supported by Lloyds Banking Group through the Matchmaking Service, with the most recent starting this month. This is part of the firm’s commitment to creating employment opportunities for people of all ages in the region and supporting a healthy pipeline of new talent in the construction sector.
Following the visit Mr Waugh said: “Jackson Jackson are a brilliant local firm and it’s great to see Lloyds and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority backing their passion for apprenticeships with the funding they need. It was inspiring to meet so many youngsters to talk about the independence and opportunities they gain from earning and learning with a leading Rochdale company.”
The Greater Manchester Levy Matchmaking Service matches smaller employers with large donor organisations to help them fund apprenticeship training. To date it has supported over 1,400 apprentices in the region. Lloyds has also been a long-term partner of the scheme, and over the year to date it has supported 648 apprentices at 222 different businesses across Greater Manchester.
The scheme is part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s broader education strategy to improve post-16 skills development across the region, which also involves initiatives such as the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) programme.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Apprenticeships are a vital part of our plan to give every young person a clear line of sight to a good job. The Levy Matchmaking Service is a brilliant example of how large and small businesses can work together to create real opportunities in our communities. Seeing firms like Jackson Jackson investing in apprentices and success stories like Carrie’s shows the difference this support can make, both to young people and to the future of our economy.”
Kieren McDonnell, Managing Director at Jackson Jackson & Sons Ltd, said: “Apprenticeships offer a great way to unlock the wealth of opportunities the construction industry can provide to people just like Carrie. Watching the progress that our apprentices have made is a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting the next generation of talent in our sector. The apprentices of today may well be the industry leaders of tomorrow, and investing in them now is crucial if we’re to future-proof the construction sector for years to come.”
