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Around 2,800 apprenticeships and Local Labour Initiatives could be created through the Homes and Communitiues Agency's (HCA) investment in new and affordable homes over the next two years.
Up to 1300 could be created predominantly through the Agency's Kickstart and Local Authority New Build Programmes, with a further 1500 through the standard NAHP.
The Agency has written to RSLs in receipt of NAHP funding outlining its commitment to apprenticeships and confirming that provision of a scheme, or commitment to establishing one, will be a requirement of receiving grant funding. It also intends to recruit some of its own entry level regional delivery posts through Local Employment Partnerships with JobCentre Plus.
Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of the HCA, said: "Homes and jobs should go hand in hand in creating thriving communities. That is why this is a high priority for government, and why we are seeking to maximise the employment dividend of our investment.
"We are well placed to do this through our strong links to the construction industry, but we need our development partners to take the lead, and in turn to encourage their own partners to create opportunity. And we also need to play our part, hence our commitment to graduate training and Local Employment Partnerships with JobCentre Plus."
The HCA has made it a requirement of partners receiving funding to have in place, or work to offer, an apprenticeship and/or local labour initiatives, with the Agency monitoring progress through its existing quarterly review meetings with partners. It will also be promoting best practice and providing other guidance and practical help via the HCA Academy’s website, and has established an Employment Working Group to coordinate its activities, linking them to the wider skills work done by the Academy.
In addition, the HCA has just begun recruiting to 12 posts for the 2010 intake of its well established Graduate Training Programme; and is also supporting six further graduate placements at housing associations across the West Midlands.
(CD/KMcA)
