Thanks to the commitment and efforts of Southdale Ltd, Chevin Housing Association's construction partner, a total of 19 Local apprentices across a range of building and administration trades have been employed across the Ings Sites in Hull.
Ashley Brewer is enjoying studying for his NVQ level 3 whilst working at the Ings site in West Hull. Ashley found himself out of work and his apprenticeship in limbo when his previous employer had financial problems, but Southdale Ltd have been able to take him on at the Ings Site in West Hull.
"Starting with Southdale has been fantastic, being out of work at any time is terrible, but with a young family it was particularly hard." said Ashley. "I am now in my 3rd year as an apprentice and I am really enjoying the work."
Chevin Housing Association Ltd and Southdale Ltd have been on site in Ings since 2005. Funded by Hull City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency, Sutton Meadows is a £27m development of 180 new affordable homes for rent and sale.
Lisa Jones, Area Manager at the Homes and Communities Agency added: "It is great to meet Ashley to see the how our investment creates new opportunities for people as well as providing much needed new homes. The completion of this site will see old fashioned ‘Caspon houses' replaced with modern homes that will meet the expectations of local residents."
Steve Close, Group Chief Executive from the Chevin Housing Association said: "It is very much a part of Chevin's ethos that we are committed to providing training and employment opportunities across all of our sites working closely with our construction partners. It is great to see youngsters interested in the construction trade wanting to learn new skills and gain qualifications which will hopefully enable them to secure employment or open up further training opportunities".
Councillor Rick Welton, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing at Hull City Council said: "This project shows that by working with our partners the council can ensure that developments such as these meet all the criteria for true regeneration, from the new homes that will improve the look and feel of an area and meet the city's housing needs, to the economic benefits brought through jobs, training and skills development."
The HCA has embedded employment and training initiatives in its operations so that the Agency's investment in places boosts job opportunities for local people. Providing apprenticeship and employment schemes is now a condition of receiving investment from the HCA as it works towards creating or safeguarding 1,300 apprenticeships through housing pledge investments and 1,500 apprenticeships through the National Affordable Housing Programme.
Photographed: Apprentice Ashley Brewer showing his skills to Councillor Healand, Steve Close of Chevin Housing Association and Lisa Jones of the Homes and Communities Agency.