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City of Wolverhampton Council and partners have teamed up with housing developer Kier, who are offering guaranteed interviews for possible jobs and apprenticeships for participants on the Fast Track into Construction programme.
Unemployed residents interested in pursuing a career in construction are invited to attend 1 of 2 information sessions at 10am or 12pm on Tuesday 6 September, at City of Wolverhampton College, Wellington Road, Bilston, WV14 6BT, to find out about the exciting 12 week taster course.
It is being organised with the help of City of Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton Homes' employability team, Department for Works and Pensions, and Jobchange.
The programme will give trainees an opportunity to gain qualifications recognised in the construction industry, such as a Level 1 in Multi Skills - covering brick laying, painting and decorating, carpentry, and plumbing; and a Level 1 Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS card) - encompassing asbestos awareness and manual handling.
Participants will also have the opportunity to gain practical work experience and try out different trades on a construction site with Kier and Wolverhampton Homes.
Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "In the current jobs market the construction industry is growing and employers are looking to fill vacancies.
"The Fast Track into Construction programme is a proven model developed by the council's economic inclusion team with partner organisations for preparing unemployed residents for a career in this sector.
"On this occasion we are delighted to be working in partnership with Kier who are able to offer actual opportunities for jobs and apprenticeships."
Chris King, Managing Director, Kier, added: "At Kier we have a long and proud history of recruiting and sustaining our talent pool through work based learning schemes.
"We have a robust apprenticeship and employment programme in place with a dedicated apprenticeships and employment team to manage, guide and progress our apprentices, work experience candidates and work ready candidates through schemes such as Fast Track into Construction.
"It is an exciting time to work and live in the Black Country with so many housing developments and projects taking place.
"There is an emphasis by the local authorities in partnership with companies such as Kier to also invest in the local communities in which we work, through apprenticeship training, graduate training, work ready programmes, and local employment."
Arthur Collins, who successfully completed a previous Fast Track into Construction course and is now in full time work, said: "I had been off work for a long time due to ill health and at 52 it was a struggle to find work.
"The Fast Track into Construction programme helped me to overcome my barriers, and gain confidence, new skills, qualifications and work experience, which enabled me to find work with Comau - a multi national company."
To book a place on either of these sessions please see your Work Coach at the Jobcentre.
For further information about the scheme please contact Manjit Cheema on 07717 733051 or Simon Hamilton on 07919 626210, or email manjit.cheema@wolverhampton.gov.uk or simon.hamilton@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
- released: Tuesday 23 August, 2016