Pictured above: On-site at Broad Meadow (L-R), Trevor
Homer (DMBC/Future Skills), Neil Smith, (Midland Heart, behind),
Daryl Hawthorne , Adam Pugh (both Future Skills), Ron Henson
(William Davis Ltd), Chris Cooper (Future Skills), Davis Parkes
(Future Skills), Justin Lakin (front, Future Skills) and Richard
Hollyoak (Future Skills)
A new employment initiative targeting Dudley's long-term
unemployed has created sixteen new jobs and training places at the
region's flagship extra care development on Middlepark Road in
Russells Hall.
Midland Heart, in partnership with William Davis Ltd and Future
Skills Dudley; a division of Dudley Council which provides
employment opportunities for local tradesmen, have pulled together
to recruit from the local community with the first tranche of
workers now on site at the £16m Broad Meadow development.
The programme will initially see one gatesman and two
bricklayers, together with three labourers and a groundworker
employed on site during the construction period. A further nine
workers will be appointed during its final stages and
post-construction.
The initiative is being driven forward by Midland Heart and
William Davis as part of the planning contract and commitment to
using local talent in positions which arise during the build.
Neil Smith, senior project manager at Midland Heart, said:
"Inevitably as a building project progresses new positions arise,
which provides us with the opportunity to recruit from the
surrounding community and tapping into the skills readily
available.
"Broad Meadow is the first of five extra care schemes to be
built in Dudley and we want to combine the expertise of our
partners with local tradesmen who are finding it difficult to find
employment in the current climate. It is not just about providing
affordable housing solutions for the region, but what is also best
for the communities we work within."
William Davis already employs a highly skilled labour force on
site, but embraces the commitment to provide opportunities for the
long-term unemployed to get back into the workplace.
Matt Colloby, business development manager at William Davis Ltd,
said: "Not only are we committed to the bricks and mortar of
regeneration, but to the surrounding community as a whole. We are
whole heartedly dedicated to giving skilled tradesmen in Dudley the
best possible opportunity to get back into employment and enable
them to make a real difference to their community at the same
time."
Councillor Les Jones, cabinet member for regeneration and deputy
leader of the council, said: "Future Skills Dudley is committed to
working with partners to help those local people who may be
struggling to find employment to get back into work. It's a
great initiative and I hope the new recruits gain greater
experience because of it."