The PVC-U and aluminium fabricator Dekko Window Systems has taken on four new apprentices, strengthening its commitment to upskilling young people and tackling the industry’s skills shortage. “We’ve started with four, but we will soon be looking into recruiting more apprentices,” explained Kurt Greatrex, the business’ sales director.
Kurt said: “While we’ve all been stretched due to increased demand, at the same time, an ageing workforce is retiring, and we’re just not getting enough skilled workers in to replace them. At Dekko, it’s our goal to limit the impact of the skills gap on our customers as much as possible, and one proven way to do this is with an apprenticeship programme.”
He went on to explain that the business actively plans to recruit more apprentices and upskill young workers, with the long-term goal of “growing and developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce to add to our already talented team”. Dekko’s four new apprentices have taken on roles in HR, manufacturing and engineering. A fifth apprentice is due to take on a marketing role, where they will be in charge of internal marketing, tracking leads and opportunities for regular business, as well as looking after social media accounts for the company’s trade counters.
Kurt continued: “As a business, we are committed to doing what we can to mitigate the industry’s skills shortage, as well as helping the regeneration of the economy following the pandemic by creating opportunities for young people. By taking them on, we’re giving them a chance to learn on the job, and developing valuable skillsets that will contribute to the industry.”
