Credit crunch redundancies boost Edenbridge training centre
Friday, September 26, 2008, 12:00
A centre in Edenbridge which trains plumbers has seen a steep rise in the number of applications from former finance workers looking to retrain as tradesmen after losing their jobs in the tough economic climate.
In the past few months chief executive of The Plumbing Academy Steven Edwards has recorded a 20 per cent rise in admissions from ex-city workers who have traded a desk job and a suit for overalls following their redundancies.
"It has really been noticeable" Mr Edwards said. "People who have been made redundant have been coming to us to learn a trade."
The Academy which opened in Fircroft Way in 2005 provides students with a City and Guilds qualification taught by lecturers who have worked in the trade.
David Falconer, from Sevenoaks, worked as an insurance broker until he was made redundant in April.