Young people in Salford are developing the skills needed to build a career in the construction industry, thanks to an innovative partnership between a social landlord and local schools.
The School Links programme – delivered by ForViva housing group member City West Housing Trust – works with pupils and enables them to gain practical hands on work experience and learn a trade.
Young people aged 14-16 years are taught skills ranging from joinery, plastering and tiling, to painting and decorating, bricklaying and furniture up-cycling – at the landlord’s workshop, under the watchful eyes of experienced tradesmen.
Moorside High School, New Park High School and Albion Academy in Salford, are currently taking part in the programme which has worked with the schools since it launched in 2011.
Julie Baker, Vocational Learning Mentor at Albion Academy, said: “We have always been impressed with the quality of the teaching and the skills learned by the pupils on School Links programme.
“The feedback from the pupils is always positive and the attendance to City West is always excellent. This reflects in their achievements and attendance within mainstream school.”
The scheme is designed to offer an alternative training option for students – empowering them to develop a strong work ethic away from the classroom.
To date, 102 pupils have been trained on the Schools Links programme – with eight having gone on to take up apprenticeships – from plastering to administration – with ForViva.
The latest cohorts of students undertaking the course will learn both theoretical and practical construction skills one day a week throughout the academic year. At the end of the programme they will achieve a Level 1 Certificate and Award in multi-trade construction – giving pupils a head start on construction based college courses.
Once training is complete and students have finished school, they are eligible to apply for job vacancies available with City West, ForWorks, or any of the group’s contract partners.
Lisa Scully, Director of Business Transformation at ForViva, said: “For many young people, school can be a challenging experience, and a negative attitude can have long-term consequences on a young person’s career prospects.
“School Links empowers young people in Salford into work and training – offering skills development in an industry where there are many opportunities to diversify and climb the career ladder.
“By offering the expertise and guidance of our employees, the programme is opening alternative doors for young people away from the classroom – nurturing future talent and offering a different route into the world of work.”
As a result of the continued success of the School Links programme, City West Housing Trust has been awarded a place on Salford City Council’s list of approved alternative education providers – giving the social landlord the green light to help pupils from local schools begin a career in construction
