SD Team, one of the largest cosmetic finishing groups in the UK, has launched an all-new training facility, SD Academy, at its headquarters in Caldicot to conduct off-site classroom teaching at a time of skills and labour shortages in the construction industry.

With more than a quarter of a million additional construction workers needed by 2026 to fulfil industry demand, SD’s training academy aims to develop necessary practical skills in complex surface repair and will ready participants for a cosmetic technician role within the business.

The training facility officially opened in January 2023 with new recruits coming on board to begin developing their skills immediately. The academy will be run by senior members of the SD finishing team, with plans to expand the programme in the coming months.

At present, SD Training Academy offers three separate classrooms complete with workstations presenting a range of materials that are to be repaired and finished ‘as new’, as well as an open-plan workshop.

SD’s training academy aims to develop necessary practical skills in complex surface repair and will ready participants for a cosmetic technician role within the business

On launching the facility, SD Managing Director, Nick Jones, said: “We are delighted to be able to open our training centre for apprentices and new staff. Investing in training, and in our people, will not only demonstrate to our clients that we are serious about the quality of our work but also ensure that our team is equipped with the right experience to carry out a brilliant job.

“We hope to be able to invite customers to visit the training facility so that they can see how our team work, and they can also get involved and try out some quick and easy repairs to see what goes into a service like this.”

The training academy has been developed in the wake of a record year in business, with figures for the last three quarters showing that SD has achieved a 25% increase in turnover year on year.

The business, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023, has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the UK’s largest sealant, repairs and marine interiors companies, with nine offices across England, Scotland and Wales.

Evan, a Trainee, who will be learning at the facility, said: “Having the opportunity to gain confidence and perfect new skills before you get on-site is a huge benefit as it can be quite daunting to get started on a big development when you’re still relatively new to the industry. I’m really grateful to be able to learn from some of the best in the business, and have the chance to shadow them here as well as on the job.”

Launched in 1973, SD Sealants originated as a family-run business in Somerset that specialised in the supply and application of sealant. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the UK’s largest repairs and sealant companies, with nine offices across England, Scotland and Wales.

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