Pictured above: Back to Work: (L-R) James Grundey, social
enterprise manager, YMCA; David Farr; Ashley Keeton; Scott
Robinson; Arran Waudby; Steven Limb and Pete Weston, apprentice
master, William Davis Ltd
In a bid to help break the cycle of long term youth unemployment
in Mansfield, Loughborough-based contractor and developer William
Davis Ltd has teamed up with Nottinghamshire YMCA to provide six
months construction work experience for five local young men.
The employment initiative, financed by the government's Future
Jobs Fund, has given Scott Robinson, Ashley Keeton, David Farr,
Steven Limb and Arran Waudby the opportunity to learn a range of
traditional skills including, plumbing, bricklaying and carpentry
& joinery, on site at the £5m Bellamy Road Estate
regeneration project.
Mark Stevenson, production director with William Davis said: "It
is important that we provide opportunities for young people to
learn new skills and in today's extremely difficult jobs market,
the hands-on experience these young men will have on site, coupled
with expert guidance from our in-house apprentice master Peter
Weston, will be an invaluable addition to their CVs.
"Schemes of this nature are essential to maintain the
aspirations and motivation of the young people and William Davis
together with Nottinghamshire YMCA will endeavour to provide the
best start possible for these five young men."
James Grundey from Nottinghamshire YMCA said: "The Future Jobs
Project has enabled 68 unemployed people to access work experience
in a wide range of fields. Through the Bellamy Road Estate
regeneration project, the partnership between Nottinghamshire YMCA
and William Davis has given five Future Jobs Employees a great step
onto the employment ladder."
"By gaining on site experience, the young men will increase
their skills and improve their employability and by knowing that
they are valued employees with a future, this will prepare them for
further development."
Councillor Heather Henshaw, Portfolio Holder for Housing at
Mansfield District Council added: "When we set out on the project
to build the new Council properties at Bellamy Road we were
determined that the legacy would extend beyond bricks and mortar.
As well as providing a new start for people moving into these
properties, the employment initiative has ensured a new start and
greater job opportunities for five young local people."
The partnership project with William Davis Ltd and Mansfield
District Council will transform the Bellamy Road estate and when
complete will provide 43 new family homes available for rent - the
first new Council properties to be built in the district for around
30 years. The project is part funded by the Homes and
Communities Agency, the national housing and regeneration agency
for England.