Member Article

Wates builds futures in Reading

Reading jobseekers have been given a career kick-start by building contractor, Wates Group, by being offered a place on its national Building Futures training scheme. This forms part of its commitment to support the community around two of the town’s flagship developments where it is currently on site.

Sixteen over 19s from across Reading, who have been struggling to get into work, have now completed the Building Futures programme, which gives jobseekers an opportunity to take part in construction skills training to improve their employment prospects.

The training programme forms part of Wates’ commitment to ensuring its development work in Reading brings with it a boost to local employment and training. This includes the construction of Patrizia’s new 60,000sq ft office at Winnersh Triangle and Reading Council’s 30-year PFI scheme to refurbish over 1,300 affordable homes in North Whitley.

Completed over two weeks, the programme was hosted at St Laurence Church in Reading where candidates were able to learn a variety of practical skills such as carpentry, tiling and plumbing. They also had the chance to work on interview techniques with Wates’ supply chain partners.

All candidates were rewarded for their efforts with a QCF Level 1 Award in Building Crafts and undertook a CSCS test to help secure access to future training and work experience on building sites.

Peter Whitmore, Business Unit Director for Wates Construction Southern Home Counties & South West, commented: “Investment in new buildings brings with it an opportunity and, more importantly, a responsibility to create tangible benefits for local people. This is a commitment Wates is keen to uphold in the areas where we work.

“Our Building Futures programme is ultimately designed to nurture skills and boost employability for jobseekers. However, it also helps to open doors within our site team and supply chain, the intention being to introduce participants to opportunities for long-term employment.

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