Member Article

Cash injection supports job opportunities in Hull

Hull jobseekers are set to benefit from a £20,000 cash injection to support the on-going creation of apprenticeships, training and employment opportunities within the city’s construction industry.

The funding has been awarded to Futureworks (Yorkshire) by the Wates Family Enterprise Trust’s charitable programme, Wates Giving. This will increase investment in work-based learning programmes and career development opportunities for the city’s apprentices and volunteers.

Supported by affordable housing contractor, Wates Living Space, which is currently building Hull’s £80m PFI extra care housing developments, the grant application signals a joint commitment by Hull City Council, Riverside and Wates to ensuring the housing scheme delivers a sustainable social and economic impact.

Futureworks (Yorkshire), a community interest company, is based at Posterngate in Hull and works with construction businesses to secure training and apprenticeship opportunities for young people across a variety of roles including technical, trades, administration and manufacturing.

Administered by Futureworks (Yorkshire) over an 18-month period, the funding will support at least 20 local people in their search for long-term work in the city and builds on the employment boost created by Wates, the Council and Riverside to-date.

This has seen more than a dozen local people appointed to work with Wates Living Space on the delivery of Hull’s PFI housing developments, which will result in 316 extra care apartments being built across the city.

Mick Holling, Interim Regional Managing Director at Wates Living Space, commented: “As the contractor behind the city’s new £80m housing scheme, we are witnessing first-hand the huge benefit that is being brought to Hull through the provision of sustainable employment opportunities and the subsequent positive impact this is having on health, housing and lifestyle.

“Contributing to the economic and social regeneration of local communities is extremely important to Wates so we were keen to support an application to Wates Giving to enable Futureworks to continue and extend its invaluable work in Hull.”

Cllr John Black said: “This is evidence of how investment like this creates a rich range of benefits beyond those of the immediate project. Not only do the young people who will eventually secure these positions reap the rewards of training, experience and long-term work, but it is an opportunity to increase the city’s skilled workforce – something which is essential as this period of growth and development continues to gather pace”.

Mark Scott, Director of Futureworks (Yorkshire), commented: “We have a long working relationship with Wates Living Space and we are pleased to be able to manage this funding from Wates Giving. It is fantastic news for local people as it will enable us to remove further barriers to local apprenticeship and work opportunities.”

Dominic Beha, Senior Project Manager at Riverside, said: “We share the government’s ambition to get Britain working and are proud to be able to provide employment opportunities during our ongoing regeneration of Hull via our partnership with Hull City Council and Wates Living Space.”

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