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Apprentice focus for new FMB president

13 Sep 16 The new president of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has put apprenticeships at the centre of his agenda for his year in office.

FMB president Gary Lewis
FMB president Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis was elected national president of the FMB on Saturday 10th September at the organisation’s annual conference in Newport, Wales.

Gary Lewis said: “I’ve always been extremely passionate about passing on my knowledge to the next generation and ensuring that we have enough skilled workers in the construction sector. My own firm is one of the many thousands of SMEs that provides broad-skilled apprenticeships. Indeed, two-thirds of all construction apprentices are trained by SME firms like mine. FMB members are already playing a pivotal role in improving the quality of apprenticeships through the development of two new Trailblazer standards in bricklaying and plastering. However, root and branch changes to apprenticeship policy are on the horizon with the implementation of the new government apprenticeship levy and the corresponding reforms to the CITB levy. These fundamental changes could make or break the quality and quantity of apprenticeship training and therefore it’s vital that the FMB ensures that the new system works for smaller firms. If it doesn’t, we could risk exacerbating the construction skills crisis.”

At the annual conference, Arthur McArdle was elected as the FMB’s new national vice-president; Dave Bentley becomes immediate past president.

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MPU
MPU

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