Hudson Contract extends ground-breaking apprentice scholarship scheme with Leeds College of Building partnership

Hudson Contract is extending its ground-breaking Apprentice Scholarship Scheme thanks to a new partnership with leading specialist construction College, Leeds College of Building.  Leeds College of Building deliver education & training and apprenticeship provision for over 6,000 learners.  The collaboration will see those helped by the scheme increase to more than 100.

Launched back in 2011, the Apprentice Scholarship Scheme offers 12 months’ financial support to employers in the construction industry to help them take on an apprentice. As part of the scheme Hudson Contract pays 50 per cent of each apprentice’s wage for the first year of their training. It has helped 90 construction companies to date.

The new partnership means the scheme will now support a further 30 young apprentices from participating colleges – East Ridings College, Scarborough TEC and Leeds College of Building – to train for a career in the construction trades during the next 12 months.

Hudson Contract Founder and Chairman, David Jackson said, “I am extremely pleased to announce that we are extending our scheme to support apprentices at Leeds College of Building. This further cements our commitment to ensuring young people in the region have every opportunity to begin a career in construction.

“We developed the Scholarship Scheme several years ago when we recognised a real need to develop apprentices to ensure our industry has the skills it needs for the future. The additional 10 apprenticeships at the college and with employers will mean that at the end of next academic year, we’ll have helped more than 100 young apprentices in the region. We’re looking forward to working closely with Leeds College of Building, who have an excellent regional / national reputation for quality and delivery, over the coming months.”

Ian Billyard, Principal at Leeds College of Building said, “We attended Hudson Contract’s Apprenticeship event back in January and were very impressed by the Scholarship Scheme and the impact this has had on firms and apprentices in the region. At Leeds College of Building, we’re absolutely dedicated to ensuring young people have the opportunity to pursue a career in the industry and the support from Hudson will bolster our ability to do so.”

The announcement comes in the same week that Hudson Contact has been shortlisted for Best Construction Supplier to Work With (Over £25m) in the Construction Enquirer Awards. The entry was based on the Apprenticeship Scheme and is voted for by peers within the industry.

As part of the scheme, Hudson will contribute £50 per week towards the employment costs during the first year of each Apprenticeship – equating to a total fund of £2,600.

Firms and apprentices interested in the Scholarship Scheme can find more here