A ROADSHOW to boost the number of bricklayers is coming to Colchester and Braintree.

Organised by the Brick Development Association (BDA), the #LOVEBRICK roadshow will offers students the chance to learn more about the industry and jobs involved.

The event will come to Colchester Institute on November 7,  from 9am until 10.30am,  and move on to Braintree College from 11.30am until 1pm.

The roadshow aims to combat the skills shortage being faced by the industry now and in the coming years.

Michael Walsh, managing director of Swift Contractors in Chelmsford, will have representatives at the event.

He said the recession meant people who were made redundant have moved on and retrained into new careers, leaving construction lacking in the skills required now the industry is improving.

Mr Walsh said: “Swift employs 500 operatives on sit. We are trying to do our bit to ensure the future is sustained with plenty of youngsters coming into the industry. If people are not sure about what they want to do when they leave school then bricklaying is something they may want to consider.

“We put them through the accredited training, make sure they get their NVQ levels one and two and when they are competent they go out to work as an operative.

“Bricklaying is one of those trades you know in the first month if it is right for you or not.

“At the roadshow we will have one of our foremen. He started with us when he was 16 and he is now 30, completed an apprenticeship and worked his way up through the company.

“He is a classic example of where this job can take you. He will be able to talk to students about what it’s like because he was once in their position.” Those interested in working as a bricklayer will know it is a physical, outdoors job.

“You have to be robust and strong as there is a lot of lifting all the time,” said Mr Walsh.

“Being part of a team, listening to advice and working long hours with early starts are all the norm.

“You have to be a people person, even though your job is laying bricks, because there is a lot of cameraderie within the team and you have to be aware of clients’ needs.

“Health and safety is also very important on site and we train people to be mindful of that.”

Also at the events will be Simon Hay, chief executive officer for the BDA.

He said: “We want to encourage people to learn the skills and crafts of bricklaying, so it is essential we invest in the training and development of the next generation of bricklayers.

“Not only will this increase the jobs in the brick industry and the number of homes built, but we will be preserving one of the oldest and greatest building materials ever devised.”

Colchester Institute is one of ten colleges participating in 2014, with further roadshows planned.

For more information email phil.rayment@colchester.ac.uk or call 01206 712000.