NEWS EXTRA
MERCHANT INDUSTRY CYCLES ON FOR INDUSTRY YOUTH
The merchant industry is uniting for a new charity cycling challenge to help provide new opportunities for young people to learn new skills and develop their careers.
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Ride for Youth Challenge is being organised by IBC Buying Group, and will see more than 40 people from across the sector ride the length of the UK from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The challenge will take place from 18th to 29th May, 2022, with the team being led by Dave Robertson, IBC managing director, and Steve Halford, managing director of The Garage Door Company. During the event, the group will cycle around 100 miles each day, travelling a grand total of approximately 960 miles through beautiful countryside travelling the length of England and Scotland.
Supporting charity All monies raised during the challenge will be split equally between two charities – Construction Youth Trust and the Unitas Youth Zone. The money will be donated in the name of Maddie Durdant-Hollamby, a young woman whose life was cut short in tragic circumstances and who was well-known and loved by many in the industry.
Maddie was passionate about encouraging young people to achieve their potential within the industry and also those looking to join the sector. This new industry- wide charity initiative, which has the support of Maddie’s family, hopes to continue the incredible legacy already begun in her name. Construction Youth Trust aims to inspire and support young people to overcome barriers and discover the fantastic, lifelong careers that the construction and built environment industry can provide. The Unitas Youth Zone is an independent charity, supported by IBC Buying Group, that provides purpose-built facilities for young people in and around Barnet, north London, where they can learn vital life skills and be inspired to live healthier, happier and more aspirational lives.
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construction industry are well known, and industry organisations such as Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants (WCOBM) and the Builders’ Merchants Federation (BMF) are working hard to counter them.
Steve Halford
The WCOBM, for example, runs the #BuildACareerWithoutLimits campaign, which aims to recruit young people into all areas of the merchant sector, while the BMF supports the industry’s efforts to recruit new people through the BMF Apprenticeships Plus service, as well as offering a Diploma in Merchanting programme to help people progress their careers and prepare people for management and leadership roles.
Halford explains: “Having worked in the construction sector since the early 1980s, I’m very conscious of the need to constantly reinvent. Who better to do this than the next generation, who bring with them enthusiasm, passion and innovation… all the qualities our sector will continue to need as we face new challenges and as yet unseen opportunities. “Maddie Durdant-Hollamby displayed all of these attributes in abundance and, in her name, we must continue to ensure more young talent can see the value in investing those talents in the construction sector. The Ride for Youth is aiming to keep awareness of Construction Youth Trust uppermost in our thoughts and ensure they are able to continue with their invaluable work.”
Helping the next generation
The merchant industry is always looking to recruit young people to join the sector, and to encourage school and college-leavers to consider a career in construction. The barriers that prevent young people from entering the
Like many of the merchants and suppliers who regularly visit local schools and colleges, and work with training providers to attract and train young people, Dave Robertson from IBC Buying Group is also a firm believer in the importance of training. He says: “The youth of today are going to be the people who join our industry tomorrow, and it’s so important that we give them as much support and help as we can. That means running training schemes and creating apprenticeships to help bring them through. It’s about giving them career choices – they will have a great time working in our industry, and there are many avenues that can lead to the fantastic, life-long careers that so many of us have enjoyed.
“Our industry is a family, and that starts from the moment you join the sector, no matter where you begin. I’ve been very fortunate to have been in the construction industry for about 40 years, and being able to give back and continue the fundraising for Unitas and Construction Youth Trust that the industry began last year – especially in Maddie’s name and with her family’s full support – makes it all the more special to
us, and we hope that many of our friends and colleagues from across the industry will be inspired to join us.”
Both Unitas and Construction Youth Trust work tirelessly to help support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and to help young people build better futures and give them the best possible start in life.
Robertson continues: “I’d encourage anyone who is interested in joining us on the Ride for Youth to get in touch as soon as possible so you don’t miss out. Riding from Land’s End to John O’Groats is probably one of the mentally and physically challenging things you can do, but when you cross that finish line with the support of all your industry friends around you, it’s absolutely worthwhile.” BMJ
Want to join the challenge?
Places in the Ride for Youth team are expected to be filled quickly, so if you are interested in taking part please register your interest now.
The challenge is being hosted by pie Events, who will arrange all food and accommodations for the 11- night, fully guided and fully supported trip. Participants just need to arrange travel to the starting point near Land’s End on 18th May, and travel home from Inverness 10 triumphant days later on the 29th May 2022.
For more information or to sign up, contact Dave Robertson at dave. robertson@ibcbuyinggroup. com or Steve Halford at steve.halford@ thegaragedoorcompany.
ltd.uk
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2022
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