Member Article

Newcastle bricklaying and joinery training programme kicks off

A training programme designed to help local young people secure construction industry apprenticeships began on Newcastle this week (w/c 1st July).

The two week course at Newcastle College will provide basic training in bricklaying and joinery, with all those making the grade securing interviews with potential employers.

Half a dozen of the apprenticeships are available on the Scotswood redevelopment programme – the biggest housing lead regeneration project in the North East.

A recruitment drive, including the deployment of a mobile information booth, has been staged in the Scotswood area to raise awareness of the opportunities on offer.

The employment, training and enterprise programme is being delivered by Newcastle City Council in partnership with Newcastle Futures, the Construction Industry Training Board, Scotswood Area Strategy and Newcastle College. The apprenticeships have been secured on several sites around the city as part of the planning approval stage.

Councillor Hazel Stephenson, Ward Councillor for Benwell Scotswood said: “We are committed to ensuring our local communities benefit from regeneration and investment in the city and this is a great opportunity for young people to secure apprenticeships in the area that they live.”

From the outset the Scotswood partners which make up New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) - Newcastle City Council, Barratt Homes and Keepmoat – have pledged to use local labour and suppliers wherever possible.

During the first phase of construction it is hoped that 15 apprentices will be employed and there have already been a series of open days staged alerting local suppliers to the opportunities, with advice and guidance available to those unused to the tendering process.

Duncan Bowman, Development Director with NTWDC, said: “Construction of the first homes will soon be underway so our aim of providing training and job opportunities for local people can also begin to be delivered.

“It has always been our hope that in addition to creating a new, sustainable and vibrant community in the west end of Newcastle, we could bring economic opportunity to the area, stimulating growth and prosperity.”

Over the next 15 years NTWDC will invest £265 million to create 1,800 homes, a neighbourhood centre, open space and commercial facilities on 66 hectares of land on the banks for the River Tyne.

With backing from the Homes and Communities Agency, NTWDC plans to provide mainly family homes – over 60% will be three and four-bedroom houses – including affordable homes owned and managed by the Fabrick Group.

The design provides green links through to the existing neighbourhood and tiered gardens across the sloping site.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .