A BRICK-making company is taking part in a drive to boost the number of budding brickies in North Yorkshire.

Award-winning York Handmade Brick Company, based in Alne, near the city, the largest independent brick maker in the north of England Has teamed up with the Brick Development Association (BDA) at the #Lovebrick roadshow at York College this week.

The BDA is working with the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) to drive the study of bricklaying forward and increase the number of skilled bricklayers in the construction industry.

Mark Laksevics of York Handmade said: “We were delighted to take part in the BDA’s roadshow and to help to demonstrate the art of brick-making and laying to students at York College and answer their questions.

“Unfortunately, the number of skilled bricklayers in the UK is at an all-time low, following the credit crisis in 2008 and the downturn in the construction industry.

“Now the industry is in a phase of recovery and growth, the need for more apprenticeship schemes is essential to avoid a fall in output.

“This initiative, supported with funding from the Construction Skills Training Board (CITB), aims to raise the awareness and knowledge of brickwork.”

York College brickwork tutor Harpal Sambhi added: “It was good for our students to learn about new bricklaying techniques and how to put them into practice.

“They also heard guest speakers talking about the high demand for bricklayers in this country at the moment, which gave them an insight into the current state of the building industry.”