Six trainees learning the building trade at a new training centre got a taste of real work through a partnership with two employers.

They were the first group from the new Construction Training Centre in West Gorton, east Manchester, to benefit from on-the-job learning. They spent two weeks with Manchester Working, the company responsible for repairs to homes managed by Northwards Housing.

All six attend the training centre run by the urban regeneration company New East Manchester, The Manchester College and Manchester Solutions Ltd.

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The centre, which opened in September, offers hands-on training in a realistic working environment and aims to equip learners with the skills to secure employment in the construction industry. Skills covered include plastering, carpentry, joinery and groundwork.

The training centre, on the Vaughn Street Industrial Estate in West Gorton, is funded by the North West Development Agency and New Deal for Communities.

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester, said: "Spending time with construction industry professionals on real building projects is a vital part of the experience needed to give trainees the best possible chance of securing sustainable jobs at the end of their courses.

"Although the current economic climate has led to severe problems for the building industry it is important to keep training new potential employees to take advantage of the opportunities that will be created when the economy picks up."

(CD/JM)