MKM Grimsby have teamed up with John Whitgift Academy to help produce the next generation of builders in the town. The BTEC Level 2 course in Construction was only launched in September and is already oversubscribed. Former MKM Grimsby director Nigel Jackson, who retired recently after fifty years in the trade and is now a governor at the academy, formed the idea that the branch could help out with this new course. The students, aged from 14 to 16, study various areas of construction, learning brick making and laying, joinery, carpentry, painting, decorating and plastering – everything they need to get a good start in the trade. Upon completion they have the ability to continue onto a higher level of study or take on an apprenticeship where they can put their newly acquired skills to good use. MKM Grimsby are contributing materials, uniforms, signage and other resources for the course. Working alongside the dedicated teachers at the academy, they are also running tutorials, field trips and site visits to ensure the students gain vital real world experience.

The headteacher of John Whitgift, Robert Spendlow commented, “Education and industry working together can have such a positive impact on young people’s learning. It is fantastic to have MKM on-board in our construction programme – they bring a raft of experience and specialist knowledge into lessons, not only helping to equip students with the practical skills they need but also giving them an understanding of what is expected in the world of work.” Nigel Jackson sums up MKM Grimsby’s view as follows: “Sustaining a skilled workforce is one of the biggest challenges to the building industry. As a business, we are keen to develop industry skills locally. We believe that by supporting young people early in their careers, and passing on expertise and knowledge we can help develop the next generation of Grimsby’s building trade.” MKM Grimsby as well as our other branches take a keen interest and pride in helping bring through the future of our industry.