21/09/10 - Bridging the Skills Gap to Employment

The council is working in partnership with Housing 21 and its contractor Thomas Vale Construction.

Ian Cox, partnership & development director for Thomas Vale, said: "Thomas Vale are proud to work in partnership with Sandwell Council and Housing 21 who have helped us make it possible for all the trainees to gain such experience. The trainees have all done extremely well. It is very encouraging to see how successful the training programme has been and that we are securing the skills and high quality of work needed within the industry."

Sandwell Council now has community benefit clauses written into all new contracts where firms are required to take on trainees and give them paid training.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for jobs and economy Councillor Ian Jones said: "I am pleased to see that this new 'extra care' scheme has enabled Think Local Construction to continue to provide employment opportunities, creating better prospects for local people and the future of the construction industry."

Employment opportunities are being provided to local people to gain qualifications and skills while working on the new 'extra care' scheme, Queensridge Court, which is being built in Oldbury with the support of Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) funding.

An integral part of this work is undertaken by Think Local Construction, which looks to address all areas of the skills gaps, by indentifying employment and training opportunities which result from work activity within the borough.

Think Local Construction and Future Skills Sandwell, part of the Economic Regeneration & Skills Division within Sandwell Council, supports the employer and the trainees through this work based-learning programme to achieve qualifications in their relevant trade.

This has culminated in trainees gaining valuable experience and recognised qualifications up to NVQ level 2 in a variety of construction trades, including bricklaying, carpentry, plastering and painting and decorating.

Amy Gowans, development programme officer for Housing 21, said: "Housing 21 is delighted that these trainees have had the opportunity to gain experience and skills through the development of Queensridge Court. We are looking to provide future schemes with similar training opportunities."

The success of the programme is evident with five out of eight of the trainees being awarded full-time employment by sub contractors Coopers Carpentry Contractors Ltd, C.J. Yarnell Brickwork Ltd and Perfect Match Decorators.