Better Brickwork Alliance
The Better Brickwork Alliance is an informal association of stakeholders in the construction industry who have an interest in bricks and brickwork.
They represent brick and block manufacturers, mortar producers, house-builders, main contractors, brickwork sub-contractors, the CITB, the Guild of Bricklayers, the Worshipful Company of Tilers and Bricklayers and the BDA.
The aim of the Alliance is to encourage recruitment of bricklayers, reduce the drop-out rate of trainees, improve the retention of trained craftsmen and enhance the development of skills.
The CITB
The CITB runs a Construction Awards Scheme which is offered to Schools through Curriculum Centres. The scheme contains modules which support the National Curriculum for 5-14 year olds. At the moment 20% of the schools in the UK are involved in the scheme and the aim is to spread the scheme nationally. Members of the Alliance will be able to contribute by offering placements for teachers who are planning to use modules connected with brick manufacture and bricklaying as well as ensuring that pupils engaged on those modules have materials and the opportunity to visit plants and sites.
Colleges
Colleges with brick laying courses have been twinned with brick manufacturers, block makers and mortar producers. The idea is that Colleges will benefit not only from a supply of materials but also from the opportunity to visit brickworks and to receive lectures on technical and related subjects.
The Guild of Bricklayers
The Guild of Bricklayers is interested in promoting the craft of bricklaying to the highest standards and has long been involved with running and judging competitions. Every year students in bricklaying at construction colleges across the country compete in regional heats building demanding test-pieces against the clock and each other. The winners of the regional heats went forward to the Skillbuild National with the winner competing in the International Youth Skills Olympics. Many of our members were involved in the regional heats providing materials, prizes and hospitality. Some of the Colleges used the competition as a marketing opportunity attracting school children, friends and families to the College for an Open Day and finding extra sponsorship from local Builders Merchants and component manufacturers.
The Worshipful Company of Tilers and Bricklayers
The Worshipful Company of Tilers and Bricklayers has devised a new competition ‘Best Practice in Apprenticeship Training' run in conjunction with the Guild of Bricklayers and brickwork sub-contractors. Competitors work at NVQ Level 3 and are judged on a number of set-pieces as well as the portfolio of previous work.
The strength of the Alliance is that it includes everyone with an interest in bricks and brickwork. It has already made its mark but it acknowledges that there is still room for development.