A major housing investment programme in Cardiff is set to boost employment in the city, it has been revealed.

The city council's programme to build 1,500 new homes across the city will support around 6,400 people with employment while creating 9,000 weeks of training.

The pledge has been made by contractor Wates Living Space Homes who will include a host of on-site apprenticeships, work experience placements and structured training programmes across a range of hands-on building trades.

The new homes initiative forms part of the council's Housing Partnership Programme and will also see Wates Living Space Homes spend an estimated £100 million with local suppliers and sub-contractors.


The mixed-tenure properties will include 600 council homes in addition to properties available on the open market.

The ten-year scheme will provide enhanced living environments for residents and energy efficiency measures to tackle fuel poverty.

Director of Communities, Housing and Customer Service, Sarah McGill, said: "One of the key objectives of our Housing Partnership Programme is to deliver real benefits for our communities not only by regenerating neighbourhoods, enhancing environments and improving the quality of life for residents but also by creating long-term, sustainable local training and employment programmes."

Joanne Jamieson, MD of Wates Living Space Homes, added: "The new homes in Cardiff will build communities and improve quality of life for thousands of residents across the city but the true value of this investment lies in the social impact it will have on people's lives."

(LM)