The ‘Firm Foundations’ scheme – run by West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT) - is supporting young people and adults living in West Middlesbrough by finding them routes into areas including plumbing, plastering, tiling, bricklaying and joinery.
Linda Broadhead OBE, Chair of WMNT said: “Research tells us that every year, for the next three years, the North East region needs to meet the demand for almost 4,500 skilled entrants into the construction industry, through construction related training.
“We also know that we want to support residents in West Middlesbrough into work, so have developed this flexible scheme to match the people with the training. It’s already proving popular and we hope it will go from strength to strength.”
The project not only helps identify the options available, but offers hands-on experience, individual peer support, personal development, information, advice and guidance and confidence building. It will even provide protective equipment if needed. As part of the project, WMNT will also be renovating four houses for young people to rent.
Project Supervisor Ian Swann said: “We really are working hard to match people to suitable training. By looking across Middlesbrough and the surrounding area, we find out not only the kinds of training available, but the right kind of training for the people registering for the scheme. For instance, if someone works best in a practical, hands-on way then that’s the kind of training we’ll find for them.
“Our peer mentor supports people once they’ve started on their chosen training programmes. That means that if they’re not happy, we can help them find alternatives rather than them dropping out of the system all together. It’s that flexibility that has people queuing up to join the scheme!”
WMNT is working with a range of partners to make the scheme a success including Connexions, A4e, West Middlesbrough Works, Pertemps, Middlesbrough Council, Beyond Training
Anyone interested in signing up for the Firm Foundations scheme can call Ian on (01642) 757880 or call into Melbourne House on Newport Road, Middlesbrough and ask for details.
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