The collaboration sees Bison Precast, a Forterra brand, supply its Jetfloor system to NHBC’s Groundwork and Substructure course at the training hub in Lichfield.

Building products manufacturer Forterra is partnering with NHBC to help the next generation of housebuilders meet modern construction and energy-efficiency standards. The collaboration sees Bison Precast, a Forterra brand, supply its Jetfloor system to NHBC’s Groundwork and Substructure course at the training hub in Lichfield.

With much of the UK’s construction workforce nearing retirement age, both organisations recognise the urgency of attracting and training new entrants equipped to meet the demands of a lower-carbon future. As building methods and regulations evolve, the skills required on site are changing too. The Future Homes Standard will tighten energy rules from 2025, making it vital for apprentices to understand Part L, the interim step focused on cutting carbon and improving fabric efficiency.

Through the partnership, Bison Precast’s technical specialists use Forterra’s Jetfloor insulated ground-system to demonstrate how accuracy and care at the earliest build stages can support energy efficiency and overall compliance. By combining this hands-on experience with classroom learning, the programme helps apprentices understand both what the new standards require and how to achieve them. This in turn helps bridge the skills gap, preparing the next generation to meet the expectations of a changing industry.

The apprenticeship programme’s combination of classroom teaching with site-based learning leads to an NVQ (National Vocation Qualification) that is fast becoming the industry standard. Working with Bison Precast also allows the apprentices some valuable CPD time, with interactive presentations and Q&As all leading to better knowledge and quality of workmanship.

This approach builds competence and confidence at an early stage, and it has already produced strong results. NHBC’s Tamworth hub already showcases exceptional success and retention rates: 102 apprentices have completed the course, with all but two remaining in the industry. By providing hands-on training and instilling professional discipline early on, NHBC and Forterra are helping to close the construction skills gap and ensure new entrants understand both how and why to build to these standards.

Laura Terry, Product Manager at Bison Precast, said: “We’re proud to support NHBC’s work in developing young talent for the housebuilding industry. Jetfloor has been a trusted solution for decades, and by offering apprentices the chance to handle and fit it themselves, we help them understand how quality ground-floor construction can improve build efficiency and long-term performance.”

Leigh Jakeman, NHBC Lichfield Training Hub Manager, added: “It’s in everyone’s best interests to see new practitioners get things right from the start. By bringing Jetfloor into our training, we’re showing apprentices that accuracy, care and attention make for better homes, with fewer defects, reduced waste and greater reliability for homeowners.”