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Ten teens. Six Months. One Empty Flat...
Can they do it?
Bricking It is a series that sees 10 unemployed teenagers taking on the construction of a luxury flat, whilst dealing with the struggles of their day to day lives.
Want to know more about bricking It? Here's some frequently asked questions:
Frequently Asked Questions | The Bricking It Rules
1) What is Bricking It?
2) How were the ten trainees chosen?
3) How did you choose the master craftspeople / experts?
4) How did you choose the location / apartment?
5) Will there be another Bricking It?
6) What will happen to the apartment once it is finished?
7) What are the rules?
8) What will the trainees get out of Bricking It?
9) How does the completion bonus work?
10) Are there any eliminations or voting?
11) Why are some of the trainees asked to leave?
12) Who decides if a trainee is to leave Bricking It and how?
13) What happens to anyone that is asked to leave Bricking It?
14) How did you make sure that none of the trainees hurt themselves?
Bricking It is a series that sees 10 unemployed teenagers taking on the construction of a luxury flat, whilst dealing with the struggles of their day to day lives. Most of them are fresh out of school and none of them have had full time employment. From first fix electrics through to the final decoration the flat has got to reach expert professional standards. For trainees who have barely ever picked up a paint brush, let alone a screw driver - it's no easy task. More and more young people are turning their backs on exams but still expect instant rewards - Bricking it asks - can today's teenagers put in the effort that a job requires?
How were the ten trainees chosen?
They were chosen from over 1000 applicants who found out about the project through their local job centre or local press. Through a process of interviews and workshops this number was narrowed down to 20.
These last 20 potential trainees went through a selection weekend testing team leadership and practical application in different trades. After showing how they dealt with learning basic carpentry, plumbing and painting and decorating and how they worked in a team - 10 trainees were selected.
Click here to see what Dr Phil thought of the selection process.
How did you choose the master craftspeople / experts?
Through recommendations from the various trades institutes and project managers on major building projects in the UK.
How did you choose the location / apartment?
The developers were involved in the project from very early on, so it was mainly a question of finding a site which was at the right stage of development so the trainees would be starting from scratch.
Will there be another Bricking It?
There are no plans at present for a new show with new contestants. But who knows?
What will happen to the apartment once it is finished?
The developers, Berkeley Homes, will be selling the apartment in the New Year.
Click here to read the Bricking It rules.
What will the trainees get out of Bricking It?
Over the six months the trainees get the experience and responsibility of doing up a flat from scratch on a very ambitious project. They have hands on tuition from mastercrafts people. Those who make it to the end of the project hope to get highly sought after apprenticeships which if they see through to the end will set them up for life in their chosen trades.
How does the completion bonus work?
If the trainees damage materials, or lose equipment this comes out of the 'pot of gold' bonus. If they can't make amends, they pay for workmen to come in and do overtime. The cost of this work is deducted from the bonus.
Their disciplinary measures also mean money out of the pot:
Verbal Warning: £500
Written Warning: £1000
Off the Project: £3500
Whatever remains in the pot will be split between the remaining trainees as a bonus.
Click here to see how the completion bonus is doing.
Are there any eliminations or voting?
There's no voting or eliminations, but Dr Phil can remove a trainee from the project at any time.
Why are some of the trainees asked to leave?
Trainees are asked to leave when they break the rules. The system is:
Verbal Warning
Written Warning
Out
If their rule breaking is serious enough, they can be straight out.
Who decides if a trainee is to leave Bricking It and how?
Dr Phil Ashton - Project Manager. The rules are quite clear and Dr Phil is quite happy to enforce them!
What happens to anyone that is asked to leave Bricking It?
We give aftercare advice for trainees who did not finish the project, offering support and information on courses or other work they can apply for.
How did you make sure that none of the trainees hurt themselves?
The trainees have had step-by-step guidance on the use of each tool. A health and safety advisor checks that they maintain the correct way of using the tools.
Check out our experts
Project Manager >
Designer >
Construction Mgr >
Plumber 1 >
Sparky >
Tiler >
Painter/Decorator >
Plasterer >
Chippy >
Plumber 2 >
What are apprenticeships all about? Find out just what they can do for you here >
Email your career and training questions to our advisors >
Check out our job profiles here >
Fancy learning how to Brick It? Find the right course for you here >
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