Kilwaughter Minerals Launches New Training Academy to Combat Skills Shortage

Leading minerals processor Kilwaughter Minerals which owns both the K Rend and K Systems brands, has announced the launch of its new training academy, specially developed to promote excellence in industry and address the skills gap facing the construction industry.

The training centre will be branded ‘K Academy’ and courses will be delivered at a purpose built facility in St Helens, Merseyside, serving as the company’s primary training facility in Great Britain. Although at a smaller scale, training will also continue at the Kilwaughter Minerals’ headquarters in Larne, Northern Ireland.

The development of the K Academy represents an investment of £200,000 by Kilwaughter designed to serve our customers, our markets and the industry as a whole.

The Academy will be accessible to Kilwaughter customers initially across the K Rend and K Systems brands with programmes incorporating both practical and classroom-based learning. The addition of Kilwaughter Lime courses and employee training under the K Academy will follow in 2023 as part of a phased expansion plan.

Established in 1939, Kilwaughter Minerals Limited is a quarry and mineral processor. The company services a growing customer base across the UK and Ireland, with products such as through-coloured renders, external wall insulation systems, soil health conditioning minerals and livestock bedding lime solutions.

Gary Wilmot, CEO, Kilwaughter Minerals said:

“We are very pleased to be launching our new Academy and to play our part in addressing the skills gap and enhancing skills within our industries.

“K Academy forms part of Kilwaughter’s vision to set new standards within our markets – we consistently aim to go above and beyond to serve, to drive quality and innovate in a way that inspires our people and customers.

“We look forward to the future of K Academy and we plan to work to ensure it evolves as customer needs evolve.”

The Academy courses, standard and bespoke, aim to support applicators and installers, merchants, contractors, architects and local authorities in accelerating the skills development of their teams and ultimately ensuring highest quality finishes for end customers.

Andy Stockall, with a background in plastering and 12 years’ experience as a construction tutor and assessor, has been appointed to the position of Product and Application Training Manager and Academy Lead and will drive the delivery of quality, and engaging learning frameworks and a high-quality learning environment.

Andy added:

“Unfortunately, our industry has faced some stiff challenges in recent times, including a major skills shortage. As a responsible business, Kilwaughter is supporting the future growth of the sector via its new K Academy.

“Our range of courses has been designed to build on our approved installer programme, providing necessary training and support that will go a significant way towards improving customer experience and addressing industry skills requirements.

“K Academy also presents a valuable opportunity to attract young people to the construction industry - it has been predicted that the industry will need to recruit over 216,000 new workers by 2025 to keep up with demand. Through our Academy offering we will engage with all levels of the education system, raising awareness of the opportunities available within construction.

“As the leading provider of renders in the UK, I am delighted that we are formalising our expertise in this way and I very much look forward to having a positive impact through investing in people.”

For more information on K Academy, click HERE.

For further information or to learn more about Kilwaughter Minerals Limited, including the full list of products available, please click HERE.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Simon Cunningham, Lighthouse Communications [email protected] or Tel: 07731824431

About Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd

• Established in 1939, Kilwaughter Minerals Limited is a quarry and mineral processor headquartered on a 75-acre site in Larne, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland
• Kilwaughter produces calcium carbonate based products including, limestone sands, aggregates, derivative products for construction and broader industry and a range of products for the agriculture and landscaping sectors
• Kilwaughter’s brands include Kilwaughter Lime, K Systems and K Rend, with K Rend being the UK and Ireland’s largest independent silicone render manufacturer
• K Rend recently launched K Mono to the render market as an innovative one pass render
• K Systems recently launched a new A1 Dash system to the market with an A1 fire rating, higher than any current building requirements to provide exceptional fire safety options to the market.
• Kilwaughter recently announced an ongoing commitment to Capex investment totaling almost £5m across 2022 and 2023.