At MiTek, we’re always looking for new ways to support the future of our industry. This year, we’ve launched a new internship program, making the most of our local talent pool.
Partnering with the Dudley Institute of Technology, MiTek will be taking on four new interns from its MMC department – giving them valuable insight into the industry.
Simon Connor, responsible for heading up the MiTek internship programme in the UK commented:
“It’s great to be able to support the future of our industry and our local community through the launch of our new internship programme. We’re excited to see what this young group of dynamic people can achieve during their time at MiTek, and what the future holds for them as they bring their individual talents to the industry.”
“It’s important to support, challenge, and inspire the next generation coming into our industry, and when we met our four candidates, we were impressed by their forward-thinking attitude and motivation.”
The internships will span six months, alongside study – giving the students 9 weeks of first-hand business experience across all aspects of operation, from the factory floor to sales and marketing. CX and design will be a key focus of their learning, championing the creative talent of the interns, and addressing key challenges the industry is facing.
Across the UK there is a major shortfall in new talent entering the industry with the Stace Next Gen Index estimating that only 7% of the next generation (16-18-year-olds) are considering a career in the construction sector, increasing concerns of the growing skills shortage.
Internships play an integral role in developing new talent and addressing challenges the industry faces, particularly the skills gap, which is estimated to cost UK companies some £2.2bn* a year, in higher salaries, recruitment costs and temporary staffing.
MiTek’s program will give interns an in-depth understanding of design, one area of shortage effecting the UK currently. The interns training will be overseen by the CX and design team, with each intern having a mentor imparting their design knowledge.
The collaboration with Dudley Institute of Technology is part of a wider commitment from MiTek to help expand industry skills.
Richard George, MiTek EMEA Technical Director and Chair of the TRA’s training committee helped develop the TRA’s Designer Development Programme back in 2022 to make the industry more aspirational for new entrants and help those in the industry develop and progress.
Speaking of the Designer Development Programme and MiTek’s Internship scheme, Richard said:
“It’s a great honour to be driving forward schemes that could potentially address one of the industry’s greatest challenges. We’ll see more people actively seek out and carve a career in the sector, while developing and retaining existing talent.”
Richard adds:
“We’re helping the industry to Design, Make, and Build better, and as a leader in offsite construction solutions, we have a duty to create a new pipeline of future employees to fulfil essential roles.”
The class of 2023 will work towards completing a live project – designing a Posi-Joist floor system, seeing it through to fabrication and installation on site – enabling our interns to follow and experience the journey of MiTek products from sheet metal to instillation in a house. Invaluable learning in a real-world environment that matches practical with theory, and will no doubt contribute to the intern’s successful academic outcomes.
