| Free Construction Training For Unemployed | |||
And for those working less than 16 hours per week
A range of free construction skills training is now available for unemployed Wandsworth residents and those working less than 16 hours per week. The training pilot has been commissioned by Wandsworth and Lambeth Councils on a trial basis and the courses are being delivered by South Thames College and specialist construction training provider Mainport. Students leave with the fundamental skills needed to work on a construction site and are issued with the basic entry tickets including CSCS cards. They can also learn specific skills to prepare them for trades including groundwork, scaffolding, formwork, carpentry and dry lining. Across Wandsworth there is high and increasing demand for these building trades – particularly in Nine Elms - and those who complete the courses are being given guided into starter roles on local sites. The council has secured agreements with many local developers which mean new jobs, apprenticeships and traineeships are reserved specifically for unemployed Wandsworth residents. The new courses provide a fast track to these career opportunities. An experienced tradesperson can earn between £25,000 and £40,000 per year and can use their skills all over the world. Some of the students have signed up to begin more advanced training and others have been offered interviews for roles on local sites. August 15, 2014t Taide Ward was one of the first people to complete the course. She said: "I lost my job in admin but Work Match helped me get a new job doing admin for a big building firm. I needed my CSCS card to be able to get on site. The teachers at South Thames have really encouraged us to do well and the lessons run really easily. Now I’ve got my card that means I can keep my job and I’ve picked up extra skills too.”The course includes a range of hands-on practical sessions. Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, said: “The construction industry could offer you a rewarding and well paid career. There are a great variety of jobs to choose from and our training courses will guide you into a new role in Nine Elms or on another local development. “No matter what your experience or qualifications, get in touch with our Work Match recruitment team to find out how to apply. “If construction isn’t for you then our friendly Work Match team will talk you through other local training and job options which could be a better match. They are dedicated to supporting you into employment and will help you every step of the way.” Karan Jay, training manager at South Thames College, said: "This course gives you a great overview and hands on experience of the skills needed on site. It helps make people work ready – which is key to getting local people into jobs and helping them succeed. Delivering this course with Work Match is important to us – a college should play a big part in the local community and our teams have plenty of experience in giving people the skills to do well.”
Contact the Work Match team today on 0208 871 5191 or email wandsworthworkmatch@wandsworth.gov.uk Find out more about the team at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/workmatch The free construction training pilot is part of the Wandsworth Jobs Package - a series of initiatives designed to help local people into work and to benefit from the borough’s expanding jobs market. The Wandsworth Jobs Package brings together local employers, South Thames College, training providers, charities, Job Centre Plus, the Department for Works and Pensions and the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership.
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