A total of 60 apprenticeship opportunities are being created to mark the 60^th anniversary of the National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS), during National Apprenticeship Week (February 6-12).

NMBS, based at Meridian Business Park in Leicester, is launching the recruitment drive with support from Coventry-based national trade body, Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), which has a well-established partnership with training provider LEAP.

BMF’s LEAP apprenticeship programmes have been developed to ensure training is tailored to the needs of the building materials’ supply industry and are a perfect fit for the roles that NMBS is looking to recruit into.

Chris Hayward, CEO at NMBS, said: “NMBS is the most successful Buying Society in the UK for independent builders, plumbers, hardware and timber merchants, and we’re 100 per cent committed to strengthening independents.

“Apprentices can bring big benefits to businesses, and we are delighted to work with BMF as part of our recruitment drive to attract 60 new apprentices into the industry during our 60^th anniversary year.”

In 2023, NMBS plans to enrol 15 apprentices every quarter into training programmes at a variety of levels, including trade supply, business administration and sales.

BMF CEO, John Newcomb added: “BMF has long been a champion of the benefits apprenticeships can offer both to people looking to enter the industry and to businesses seeking to attract new talent.

“Our partnership with LEAP has allowed us to team up with experts in training provision and combine their in-depth knowledge with our industry insight and experience to create a series of apprenticeship programmes that are carefully tailored to the needs of the industry.

“We congratulate NMBS on their 60^th anniversary and are delighted to support their drive to recruit 60 new apprentices to mark the occasion.

“It is a clear demonstration of their commitment to creating opportunities in the industry and attracting new talent.”