Pictured above: Birmingham south work experience students
with Customer and Community Officer, Richard Freeman. (L-R) Jaedon
Thompson, Richard, Andrew Billborough, Elliot Wright, Anton
Gavin-Shaw, and Jack Freeman
The Birmingham arm of Willmott Dixon Partnerships has celebrated
its first highly successful year of providing work experience
opportunities for local youngsters and jobseekers.
Over the last twelve months Willmott Dixon has provided 1173
hours of work experience for 25 young people and adults who want to
gain a foothold in the construction industry.
The work experience placements were able to take place thanks to
the introduction of the company's 'Opening Doors' programme, which
was launched last summer.
Its aim is to give people an insight to specific building and
maintenance trades, to help them get a better understanding of what
each one involves and whether they are careers they wish to pursue.
The experience is also an advantage in helping people to get a
job.
As part of programme Willmott Dixon aims to offer a minimum of
ten work experience placements each year to local school and
college pupils through the company's local branches around the UK
and also at its headquarters in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
The national programme aims to interest school and college
students in vocational training and provide more than 24,000 hours
of work experience for young people annually.
Willmott Dixon Partnerships managing director, Mick Williamson
said: "We are investing in the communities in which we work, to
create a lasting legacy once contracts have finished. We firmly
believe that construction students and apprentices are the future
of the industry, and our business, and are keen to provide
practical hands on experience for students wherever possible. In
this current economic climate many companies are turning away from
vocational learning; however we are committed to recognising the
value such investment has for the long term and for the success of
our business and ultimately the organisations we are working
with."
Willmott Dixon Partnerships is currently working with Birmingham
City Council to repair and maintain 60,000 properties in the city.
It's two contracts for the north and south of the city includes the
areas of Edgbaston, Hall Green, Northfield, Selly Oak, Ladywood,
Erdington, Perry Bar and Sutton Coldfield. It aims to reduce the
cost of this service by £47m over the five year terms of the
two contracts.
Willmott Dixon Group is one of the UK's largest privately-owned
capital works, regeneration and support services companies.
With over 158 years of experience, the company provides services
within the built environment to Government, registered social
landlords, local authorities and private sector clients throughout
the UK.
Willmott Dixon Partnerships works with social housing landlords,
currently providing support services to over 100,000 homes, 1,200
public buildings and 50 commercial properties across the UK.