Civic leaders were on hand to congratulate a group of long-term unemployed people in Stevenage whose job prospects were given a boost thanks to a successful construction training course run by Wates Group.

By completing the two-week programme the 11 trainees joined more than 530 around the country who since 2006 have picked up accredited certificates from the family-run company's Building Futures initiative.

The courses are organised by Wates for communities where it works, which in this case was the £12 million Stevenage Pact Project to refurbish nearly 5,000 council homes over three years with fresh kitchens, bathrooms, heating and wiring.

-- Advertisement --

At the ceremony was Stevenage mayor John Lloyd, and borough council leader Cllr Sharon Taylor, who were joined by Wates Business Director, Andy Fancy, Wates construction manager Brian Warner, project manager John Horkan and tenancy works support officer Elaine Lister.

Louise Hyde, Building Futures Project Manager at Wates Group said: "Congratulations to everyone for finishing this course, which will give them a boost in finding work or further training. They all worked very hard and fully deserve the extra recognition the certificate will give them.

"As a family-run business we understand that it’s important to make sure our developments go beyond physical improvements to a community, and also leave a legacy of skills and hope."

The Building Futures trainees were recruited from the surrounding neighbourhood and were given trade taster sessions such as plumbing, carpentry and plastering, and taught basic job skills and health and safety rules.

At the end they had the opportunity to sit the national CSCS site safety card test and were guaranteed an employment interview with Wates and its local subcontractors. They were also taken to see construction first hand at Waitrose Bedford and the Luton Aquatic Centre.

(CD/GK)