Economic Solutions

Manchester City Council is leading the way with a unique and innovative apprenticeship scheme aimed at offering young people a start in the construction industry.

Called ‘Manchester's Young People into Construction,' the project is breaking new ground in the UK and offers apprenticeship opportunities across the city for 16 - 25 yr olds.

Although the project is still only six months old, it has already proved so successful that three young people have been offered permanent jobs.

In partnership with Connexions, Aspire, Skills Solutions and The Manchester College, the city council offers young people the chance to train as bricklayers, joiners, multi-trades, site managers, quantity surveyors and administration workers.

Twenty young people (see list below) 13 male and seven female, started the three year apprenticeships in July of this year.

All have a personalised training plan and combine their on site experience with day release attendance at The Manchester College working towards NVQs.
 
John Lorimer, Capital Programme Director for Manchester City Council, says: "Many of the young people involved in the ‘Young People into Construction' programme have found the school environment challenging and this is their opportunity to shine. It gives the apprentices more than just work experience and qualifications. It helps raise their confidence levels and develop their social and business skills, as well as improving their levels of numeracy and literacy."

Each of the apprentices has been placed with one of the council's 14 contractor partners, based on which has the most appropriate projects to develop their skills.

Steve Williamson from contractor F Parkinson Limited says: "This initiative has given a fantastic opportunity for both young individuals and Manchester residents to enter the construction industry and utilise the opportunities that are available.

By employing people from within the city, we are able to instil the values of pride and quality of workmanship as the individuals can relate to the work that they partake in and the long term benefits that it brings to the city."

The young people taking part in ‘Manchester's Young People into Construction' scheme are as follows:

Daniel Wood from Rusholme
Daniel Jones from Moston
Joshua Heavens from New Moston (offered a permanent job)
Chantelle Aisha Roper from Longsight (offered a permanent job)
Lisa Morgan from Moston
Katie Anne Gallagher from Longsight
Gemma Hampson from Baguley
Sarah Marsh from Blackley
Leanne Jones from Blackley (offered a permanent job)
Rebecca Maudsley from Blackley
Craig Palmer from Beswick
Steve Wait from Openshaw
Cleve Pythian from Harpurhey
Gary Clayton from Harpurhey
Lee Dawson from Harpurhey
Nathan Daley from Hulme
Scott Fordyce from Clayton
Lewis Fidler from Hulme
Peter Flaherty from Mile Platting
Daniel Buckley from Longsight

For more information about Manchester City Council visit www.manchester.gov.uk