AUDIO NEWS: Less than half of parents would encourage kids to join the industry and whistleblower gets £500k

Less than half of parents would encourage children to enter the building industry, asbestos whistleblower awarded £500,000 in damages and scaffolders to run 50 miles for charity

Fewer than half of parents would encourage their kids to become a builder — that’s according to a survey from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Parents remain sceptical about construction careers, despite government data showing that salaries in the industry are higher than the UK average.

Potential earnings for builders that own their own firms are even higher. FMB member firms boast an average annual turnover of over £1 million.

Chris Carr, national president of the trade body said: “Construction offers young people a stable, rewarding and well-paid career, without the burden of student loans.”

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A building sub-contractor turned asbestos whistleblower has been awarded £500,000 in damages.

Martin McGowan was working with Springfield Properties, when he found asbestos on several sites. 

After the developer failed to act over McGowan’s concerns, the 53-year-old told the householders about the dangerous substance.

After being hit with a court order to stop him talking, McGowan claimed he was blacklisted in the industry.

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Two scaffolders are planning to run an ultra-marathon to help a colleague’s baby daughter.

Ben Ekins and Jordan Harrison have been training for months to run the 50-miles from Birmingham to Northampton to raise £20,000 for Caudwell Children.

They decided to help their colleague Gary Rouse, after he revealed his baby daughter was born with Down’s Syndrome and a serious heart condition.

To donate click here.

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