A trainee operative on FIS Skills’ BuildBack programme has celebrated a successful work experience placement by carrying out the topping out ceremony at Three Snowhill, a landmark new office development in the centre of Birmingham.
Matthew Alcock, who is part of the BuildBack programme which is helping job seekers to develop a career in drylining, was selected by his colleagues at Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions to perform the task of inserting a golden bolt into a steel girder at the highest point of the building. Matthew was chosen for his excellent performance during his two-week work placement.
Matthew was introduced to the FIS BuildBack programme through Youth Promise Plus, who support young unemployed people into education and employment. Youth Promise Plus is working in collaboration with Birmingham City Council, South and City College Birmingham, Jobcentre Plus and the CITB to deliver BuildBack in Birmingham with FIS Skills.
Steve Coley, managing director at Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions, where Matthew has been undertaking his BuildBack placement, said: “We were absolutely delighted that one of our BuildBack operatives was asked to install the last golden bolt into the structure at Three Snowhill’s topping out ceremony.
“For the event, we were asked to choose one of the four BuildBack trainees who are developing their skills on-site. The three site supervisors all chose Matthew for displaying such a can-do attitude for making things work.”
Once Matthew completes the BuildBack Specialist Upskilling Programme (SUP), he will be enrolled for an NVQ Level 2 in Drylining.
FIS Skills is hosting a series of BuildBack open days to give potential employers the opportunity to meet with the drylining trainees and programme partners and hear more about the programme. Email skills@thefis.orgfor more details.
Link to FIS video:https://youtu.be/Oiz6Pa24-hs
Link to Three Snowhill’s topping out ceremony video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RS0DTgJ8FY
