Funding secured to help young people in Leeds access construction skills
09.12.2019 | News
EN:Able Futures has secured funds from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and is working in partnership with CEG to deliver a new series of construction skills training providing 16 – 24 year olds with industry-ready skills to work in the construction sector.
Over the duration of the programme around 60 people will be able to undertake the 8 – 10 week Construction Skills 4 Life traineeship programmes at the Kirkstall Forge Forging Futures campus. Participants will secure employability qualifications, improve their English, Maths and IT skills, learn construction skills such as working at heights, asbestos awareness, manual handling, first aid and try their hand at a range of construction trades.
The courses will provide successful participants with a Level 1 employability certificate, a CSCS card, as well as getting career guidance, access to employment opportunities in the property sector and mentoring support which could lead to further training and apprenticeships. Each learner will also get a minimum of 100 hours of work experience within the sector.
To facilitate the delivery of this programme EN:Able Futures will work closely with CEG, with support from I Consult and Inspire & Educate. Forging Futures have a great track record in delivering traineeships, previously providing almost 80 young people with the opportunity to complete the courses to date, with more than 70% of the participants going into jobs, apprenticeships or full time education to further their learning.
Julie Deeley, Head of Operations, EN:Able Futures, said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding through CITB’s Pathways into Construction that enables us to continue expanding our provision of high quality construction skills training and apprenticeships in Yorkshire and Humber.
“Our relationship with the construction supply chain and our experience in managing the region’s shared apprenticeship scheme ensures that the construction skills training opportunities we develop are in line with what the industry wants and are of the highest standard.”
Ewan Metcalf MD of I Consult Ltd is delivering the courses on behalf of CEG. He said “In partnership with Inspire & Educate, we will deliver an inspirational ten-week employability course which, when complete, will allow learners to access a wealth of opportunities in the construction industry.
“This will be the first step for individuals commencing on their pathway to success whether that be further learning or entering directly in to employment. We are very excited about the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of local people at the Kirkstall Forge development.”
When CEG embarked on its £400 million regeneration scheme at Kirkstall Forge, the company cemented its commitment to delivering skills, training and education projects in Leeds.
By 2017 the company opened Forging Futures Campus, working closely with its construction partners, Leeds College of Building and Leeds City Council, with the aim of training the city’s future architects, bricklayers, civil engineers, joiners, plumbers and electricians by providing a live construction area, class rooms and facilitating site visits, curriculum projects and hands-on mentoring support.
As well as providing a range of skills courses, the Campus hosts school visits and Leeds College of Building students have a live construction site to practice their building skills. Within the first year Forging Futures Campus delivered more than £10 million in social value by the start of this year.
Lucinda Yeadon, Community Liaison Manager, said: “With current estimates showing the social value output from Forging Futures Campus reaching £240 million during the 20-year Kirkstall Forge development, this will undoubtedly have a long-lasting impact for the individuals involved, as well as the city.
“For this latest series of courses we would like to encourage anyone between 16 and 24 who is not in employment or education to sign up – we are also actively looking to encourage more females to enter into the construction industry.”
The courses start in November 2019 and will run until the end of 2020. For a chance to participate please contact ewan@iconsultyorkshire.co.uk or visit www.kirkstallforge.com . You can also speak to the local One Stop Centre, Leeds City Council’s Employment and Skills Service or Job Centre Plus who will be able to assist you with the initial enquiry.