The building of new council houses in Leicester has also led to the creation of 13 apprenticeships for young people.

The apprenticeship scheme will be marked with the launch of a training base for the young people today, 17th December.

The training base is located at Wycombe Road, one of the five city sites where construction work on 146 new council homes is already under way.

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It will be opened by Cllr Paul Westley, the city's Cabinet member for housing, and Cllr Abdul Osman, Cabinet member for regeneration.

Cllr Westley said: "Building work is well under way on these much-needed new council houses and flats. As part of this the apprentices are getting hands-on training in trades such as brick-laying, carpentry, and painting and decorating."

The apprentice scheme has been co-ordinated and funded by the city council, and supported by the Keir building group, Leicester College, Leicester YMCA, and the government’s national apprentices service.

The new homes are being built at Wycombe Road, Heather Road, Godstow Walk, Birkenshaw Road, and Laburnum Road. They are due to be completed in stages during 2011.

(CD/GK)