Pictured above: (left to right) Frank and Mick
Dunne
A skills development company is setting up its own venue to
train workers for the construction industry and so provide labour
when the economy improves.
Upskill, of Wharncliffe Road, Ilkeston, is investing
£100,000 in the initiative which it hopes will supply a
useful pool of trained workers locally for when the dormant
construction industry rises from the recession.
Twin brothers Frank and Mick Dunne, who are directors of
Upskill, know only too well the uphill challenges facing jobless
workers.
They were both made redundant from the construction industry in
the last recession when they each had young families. But they
re-built their careers and 18 months ago set up their own business
helping unemployed people gain qualifications to get them into
work.
They are proud that in that time they have had a 97 per cent
pass rate, with more than 600 learners nationwide achieving
qualifications.
Now they have leased a site of almost one acre on the Ladylea
industrial estate at Horsley Woodhouse to provide a simulated
construction site to train people for what they believe is a major
gap in the skills market.
Initially, two portable buildings will double as classrooms and
the company is investing in plant, vehicles and tools as well as
taking on a couple of extra trainers - making a total investment of
£100,000.
As well as theory, learners will get hands-on experience of the
basics in infrastructure - new roads and streetworks, groundworks,
and construction plant operations - giving them a head start when
applying for jobs. .
"Learners will be able to get a taste of the construction
industry within a safe environment," said Frank.
"Colleges which used to do a lot of this training have cut back
for various reasons. We are reacting positively and speedily to the
needs that we hear of from colleagues in the construction
sector.
"We want to bring our expertise and our track record of delivery
to this area because we think we can make a difference.
"We are prepared to invest in the hope that we will provide the
qualified workers that the construction industry will need as the
economy recovers."
The courses will be aimed at re-training unemployed people and
those who were previously in the construction industry but left
because of the downturn and now need a refresher if they want to
rejoin.
And in breaking what is traditionally a male-dominated scene,
there will also be women-only courses run by women.
The courses are set to start next month, leading to City and
Guilds and other recognised industry qualifications.
Upskill hopes to put through 200 trainees in the first year of
the new facility and is hoping to tap into public funds to offset
costs.
Anybody interested in taking part should contact their local
Jobcentre.