SalfordOnline
Your local community website
   ;)  Salford students celebrate graduationBy: Tony Flynn. Eleven formerly-unemployed people from Salford have celebrated their graduation from a ground-breaking new scheme aimed at getting them back into work. The pioneering training scheme is being run by social enterprise scheme, B4Box in partnership with Salford City College, Salford City Council and Salix Homes. It aims to help unemployed people in Salford gain the skills and qualifications they require to get a job in construction. Trainees study for an NVQ 2 and 3 in trade occupations, delivered through Salford City College, and receive on-the-job work experience to help them become employable in the building trade. Neil Dunn, Centre Principal of Salford City College, City Campus said, “The college is proud to be a part of such a strong, innovative and creative partnership. It is opportunities like this that give us the chance to give back to the community of Salford what it deserves.” Hazel Blears, MP for Salford, attended the graduation ceremony which was held at Salford Civic Centre. She said “I was very impressed by the high quality of work produced by the trainees, who have gained an excellent range of skills, and it is clear that this experience has changed their lives. I am sure that they will be in great demand.” Salford City Council, in partnership with its housing Arms Length Management Organisation, Salix Homes, provided the trainees with valuable work experience, modernising local council housing. As part of their hands-on training, they worked alongside fully qualified contractors to help fit kitchens, bathrooms and new doors in Salix Homes' managed properties in central Salford. Once renovated, the properties will be rented out again as affordable housing for local people. Salford City Council lead member for housing, Cllr Peter Connor, commented: “We are committed to making sure Salford residents benefit from the regeneration of the city so it is great to see local people involved in bringing homes back into use to meet the city’s housing need." Joe Willis, director of services in neighbourhoods at Salix Homes, said: "Nothing beats hands on experience when it comes to securing employment and we were delighted to be able to provide practical learning opportunities for the people on this scheme.” Aileen McDonnell, managing director of B4Box said “The 11 learners have completed what is a very difficult qualification in just 13 months and their work has been outstanding. This is a huge achievement for a committed group of people, many of whom had been unemployed for up to 5 years before being taken on this scheme.” The course was also part funded by GM Procure and the Learning and Skills Council.
Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
