Partner Article

‘Sweat equity’ apprentices build careers and homes

A ‘sweat equity’ scheme which is helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds into new jobs and new homes is getting underway to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

City West Housing Trust has worked with partner agencies including the Big Life Group to identify local residents to take part in its Fresh Living project, which aims to help people to rebuild their lives with apprenticeships in the construction industry.

During National Apprenticeship Week (March 9th to 13th) seven candidates, who have just completed a six month training programme with City West, will begin a three year apprenticeship with one of the landlord’s contractors.

The candidates will be involved in building hundreds of much needed new homes for the housing association across Salford during their apprenticeship – with each person guaranteed the chance to move into a City West property next year.

As part of the project, the apprentices will be paid a living wage for 30 hours a week and bank a further 10 hours as ‘sweat equity’ in the first year of the programme. This will subsidise their rent during the second and third year of their apprenticeships and help them to transition into their new lives.

Kim Harrison, a 29 year old mother of two undertaking the scheme, said: “To be able to move my children into a new home would be a dream come true for my partner and I – and finally finding a career for myself that I enjoy and I’m good at would definitely be the icing on the cake.

“I was a comedian at school and didn’t focus on getting an education - this led me to being excluded and I left without any qualifications.

“I was really nervous when I started the training but now my confidence has soared. I’ve had a go at a variety of trades including plastering, plumbing and joinery, but I absolutely love plumbing, I think I have found my niche.”

Kim, along with the other apprentices, will work with Watson Homes and Mulberry Homes in delivering the landlord’s ambitious £75 million project to build 700 homes across Salford by 2018.

Allan Wane, 29, said the Fresh Living project had helped him turn his life around.

“I went off the rails as a teenager, never learning from my mistakes, and eventually ended up in prison,” he said.

“I have two children and a third on the way, so I know that I have to get working and think about my future. But when you have convictions, it’s incredibly hard to find a job, let alone a career.

“Fresh Living is offering me so much – I was curious about having a career in construction and so far I’ve loved every single day. I feel like my life is now going in a positive direction and my partner is so proud of my progress.”

The Fresh Living programme is due to end in 2018, after the apprentices complete their three year apprenticeships. City West will continue to work with those taking part after the programme has finished to provide careers advice.

Lisa Scully, Director of Business Transformation at City West, said: “City West is dedicated to provide quality homes to people of all walks of life, and to ensure they have access to job opportunities.

“Fresh Living combines these two goals, offering people who have struggled in life the chance to gain a career and secure a home to call their own.

“We wish all the apprentices the best of luck as they undertake the programme, and look forward to supporting them along the way.”

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