Ten young people have secured places on a new modern apprentice scheme set up by the Renaissance Consortium with the support of New East Manchester, Skills Solution and MANCAT.

The ten trainees, aged 16-21 years, have initially been given a two-year contract with housebuilder, Lovell or Adactus Housing Association. They will either specialise in a particular trade such as plumbing or plastering or train in a number of disciplines to become a multi-skilled operative.

The apprentices will all work on the redevelopment of Miles Platting in east Manchester, a Private Finance Initiative that will transform a 264 acre area of Manchester.

-- Advertisement --

The redevelopment work is being undertaken by the Renaissance Consortium, which is a partnership between national affordable housing provider Lovell, Adactus Housing Association and Investors in the Community.

Tom Russell, New East Manchester’s Chief Executive, said: “We have been working closely with Renaissance to create opportunities for local people in the construction industry and housing maintenance and management.

“This is a fantastic initiative, but only the start. By working together on recruitment we had a tremendous response from local people with over 160 enquiries and the standard of applicants was excellent. We look forward to seeing more young people benefit from this opportunity in the coming years.”

Renaissance signed a 30-year Private Finance Initiative contract with Manchester City Council in March this year which saw the start of a five-year comprehensive refurbishment programme by Lovell for 1,520 council houses and flats that will include kitchen and bathroom replacements, double glazing, electrical rewiring, new central heating and new garden walls or fences. Adactus Housing Association also started a 30-year management and maintenance programme for these properties for Manchester City Council.

(JM/SP)