A group of Salford youngsters are celebrating after completing a 12-week work programme run by Salford City College through the Pendleton Together regeneration project – aimed at helping them get a job or an apprenticeship. The new Pendleton Together Construction Trainee Programme has been set up to give trainees the skills and experience needed to find work, and has recently seen the first group of 12 young people complete the course.
Pendleton Together has given its backing to the new programme as it hopes it will supplement its hugely successful work placement programme, which has already helped more than 120 under 25s start their careers. At a ceremony at Salford City College’s FutureSkills, the graduating trainees received certificates of achievement and gift vouchers to mark the end of the programme.
The programme is focused specifically on young people aged 16-24 who have struggled to obtain an Apprenticeship in the past. The aim is to get participants to think about what it takes to work in a particular sector, such as construction.
Pendleton Together employment and skills co-ordinator John Jordan said: “We’ve worked closely with employers in the sector to develop the programme – to address the attributes they are looking for in an Apprentice. It’s industry-led while being focused on the specific needs of each young person looking for employment.
It is clear the young people in Salford have huge potential. All they need is a little helping hand and they can rise above any challenges they have faced.”
As part of the 12-week programme, trainees spend time in college and on a site based work placement with either Keepmoat or one of the subcontractors working on the Pendleton Together regeneration project. They also got advice on CV preparation, applying for jobs and Apprenticeships, and interview skills.
Allan Milne, Head of Work-Based Learning at Salford City College, said: “It’s been fantastic to be part of this project, which has made me realise the value which these traineeships can have for a particular group of young people. I am so proud of all the young local people who have completed the course, as well as the staff from Salford City Council, Keepmoat, Salford City College and Pendleton Together who have been part of making it happen.”
He added: “As a college we are really looking to grow these traineeships, in terms of the range we offer and the numbers of students we enrol. The aim is to use the model we have developed with this first group to focus on other sectors.”
Councillor Paul Dennett, Strategic Assistant Mayor, said: “Working alongside our partners we place an emphasis on ensuring we connect people to opportunity. This is a strength of our approach to regeneration. A big part of the programme is also about supporting the young people to go on to find a job or Apprenticeship after the course has finished and we are delighted a significant number of the first group have already been successful. At the event it was great to hear how their lives had changed already as a result of the programme. Young people are now faced with even more difficult challenges with all of the reductions that have been announced recently. Within our city it is pleasing to see what we are doing to nurture and unlock talent. We need to learn and do even more of these types of projects.”
Trainee Steve Roles said: “The programme has been really positive. I’ve learned a new trade and skills which will stand me in good stead when it comes to getting a job. It’s also been rewarding to work on something which is helping our local community. I’m from this part of Salford and it’s been great to take part in something like this which is not just helping you – it’s also helping to make the area a better place to live for everyone.”
Cain Williams, who has secured a joinery Apprenticeship with Pendleton Together subcontractor Adary Joinery, said: “I owe all those running the course a lot. Before I started I had lost my job as a floor layer and was struggling to find other work. When I decided to try to become a joiner I applied for lots of jobs and got a few interviews but never heard back from any of them. Adary Joiners did actually provide me with feedback which I was grateful for so I am glad it’s them I have gone on to work for.”
Pendleton Together and Salford City College plan to run a second traineeship programme in the new year.
