European Social Fund in England

JobCentre Plus programme provision for construction skills

As part of the Government's Welfare to Work agenda, Jobcentre Plus is committed to helping its customers into work as a route out of poverty. In the Yorkshire and the Humber Region, Jobcentre Plus co-finances a number of projects with the European Social Fund to provide help and support to enable our unemployed customers to prepare for and access sustainable employment in the Construction Sector.

Please see below for details of the projects currently running. For further details please contact the project direct or your local Jobcentre Plus Office, details of which can be found on our website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or in the BT phone book under Jobcentre Plus.

Programme Providers

LLITE - Bridge Project

Area Covered: Areas of East Yorkshire (including Hull), North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and the town of Scarborough.

Aim: This programme offers people with an interest, but no skills or experience in the construction industry, the introduction and preparation needed to become an active part of this labour force at an unskilled entry level. The programme also supports employers in recruiting for a sector that is increasingly experiencing recruitment difficulties.

Target Group: All unemployed people aged 18+, particularly those unemployed 6 months or more, including those with interest but no skills or experience in the construction industry.

Activities: The programme will last for 4-6 weeks, between 16 hours and 29 hours a week. Beneficiaries will have the opportunity to obtain the relevant certification needed for the particular area of work they wish to obtain e.g. NRSWA certificates, CSCS registration, manual handling, appropriate Health & Safety training.

Employment tasters in a range of construction skill areas e.g. painting and decorating, brickwork, paving and drainage, carpentry and joinery, plastering and general construction operations, are built into the programme.

Contact:

Nicky Field, LLITE

Tel: 01482 716960

Hull College - Construction Pathways

Area Covered: All the East Yorkshire and the Humber District Aim: This programme delivers a tailored package of support, designed to meet individually identified needs, and is designed to increase the number of people job-ready, with up-to-date skills, qualifications and workplace experience for employment within the construction sector in the Humber sub-region.

Target Group: All unemployed people aged 18+, with priority given to those individuals who are long term unemployed (6mths+), returners and those inactive in the labour market and those who have already partially completed a relevant qualification.

Activities: Complete a training needs analysis, leading to an individual training routeway to achieve appropriate qualifications (minimum NVQ 1 or equivalent). Support the individual through a flexible tailored training programme to achieve the NVQ (or equivalent) and sustain employment in the key sector. Support employers through the programme. Identify and address where necessary, any other barriers beneficiaries face when training and returning to work.

Contact:

Marilyn Andrew

Tel: 01482 308089

Community Construction Training Company (CCTC) - Advanced Craft Awards

Area Covered: North and North East Lincolnshire

Aim: The programme provides disadvantaged young people in South Humberside with the chance to achieve NVQ level 3 in their chosen construction field. Youthbuild provides on-site construction training to young people from socially excluded backgrounds by tapping into the work generated by Housing Associations. Addressing skills gaps by working in partnership within the construction industry, CCTC is training unemployed people in areas of work where shortages exist, enhancing the lives of trainees.

Target Group: Unemployed adults (aged 25+) who have been unemployed 6 months plus, returners and those inactive in the labour market and unemployed young people.

Activities: Address barriers beneficiaries face when returning to work. Network for specific sustainable and attractive vacancies that can be filled by beneficiaries on the provision while offering support to employers looking to train and recruit. Develop links with existing bodies, partnerships and coalitions.

Contact:

Francis Wood, CCTC

Tel: 01472 321500

Leeds City Council - Build Up

Area covered: All areas of the Leeds District.

Aim: The project will allow unemployed adults to access craft level jobs in the construction industry by offering individual training programmes to NVQ Level 2 standard supported by work experience, on-site assessment and training and a period of post employment guidance and mentoring.

The training programme offers individuals with an interest but little or no experience in the construction trade access to a range of qualifications in several skill areas dependant on individual needs and interests. e.g. Bricklaying, Joinery, Plastering etc. Training offered meets industry standards and employer needs leading to units towards the following qualifications: NVQ level 2 in one of the construction trades e.g. bricklayers, carpenters & joiners, glaziers, painters & decorators, plasterers, roofers, building maintenance etc; appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card; Health and Safety certification etc.

Target Group: All unemployed people aged 16+ with priority given to those individuals who are 6 months+ unemployed, including those with interest but no skills or experience in the construction industry.

Activities: The project starts with a two-week pre-training course of between 25 and 30 hours during which beneficiaries will sample a range of construction trades to allow them to make an informed choice on the trade they wish to pursue.

Following the two week pre-training course beneficiaries will start an intensive training course lasting up to 26 weeks, attending part time hours of 25 - 30 hours per week. During this time, the beneficiaries will remain on benefits. The training closely resembles real work and can be provided either by off-site training or on-site training in the form of work placements.

The project must include elements of initial and diagnostic assessment for individuals including additional ESOL support where necessary, soft skills support, certification in Health and safety, manual handling, plant awareness etc.

Employment tasters and work placements in a range of construction skill areas e.g. painting and decorating, brickwork, paving and drainage, carpentry and joinery, plastering and general construction operations will be built into the programme leading to vocational qualifications or appropriate alternative in the areas chosen by the beneficiary.

Contact:

Angela Hart,

Construction Skills Learning Centre

Tel: 0113 214 4934

Leeds City Council - Routeway Plus

Area Covered: All areas of the Leeds District.

Aim: Construction Routeway is a 6-13 week industry-led programme offering CSCS registration, skills assessments, job search, one-to-one support and on and off the job construction training. Upon completion unemployed customers will be equipped to take up employment with local employers in a construction-related occupation.

Target Group: Unemployed people, aged 18+, including those with interest but no skills or experience in the construction industry. Priority will be given to long-term unemployed (6 months+).

Activities: Training links to specific guaranteed jobs with training designed to meet the needs of local employers, eg maintenance, floor tiling etc. The project includes an initial 2-week employment taster in a range of construction skill areas e.g. painting and decorating, brickwork, paving and drainage, carpentry and joinery, plastering and general construction operations.

The Routeway include elements of initial and diagnostic assessment for individuals including additional ESOL support where necessary, soft skills support, certification in Health and safety, manual handling, plant awareness etc. Specialist case working mentoring/support is available throughout the Routeway and into the workplace. Following the 6-13 week programme, beneficiaries are supported in the workplace for a maximum of 8 weeks.

Contact:

Angela Hart

Tel: 214 4934

Wakefield Environmental Developments - Wakefield Homebuilders

Area covered: Wakefield area. Aim: The training programme offers individuals with an interest but little or no experience in the construction trade, access to a range of qualifications in several skill areas dependant on individual needs and interests, eg bricklaying, joinery, plastering etc. Training offered meets industry standards and employer needs, leading to units towards the following qualifications: NVQ level 2 in one of the construction trades e.g. bricklayers, carpenters & joiners, glaziers, painters & decorators, plasterers, roofers, building maintenance etc; appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Health and Safety certification etc

Target Group: Unemployed people aged 18+ with priority given to those individuals who are 6 months+ unemployed or from minority ethnic backgrounds, including those with interest but no skills or experience in the construction industry.

Activities: The programme starts with a two-week pre-training course of between 25 and 30 hours during which beneficiaries will sample a range of construction trades to allow them to make an informed choice on the trade they wish to pursue.

Following the two-week pre-training course beneficiaries will start an intensive training course lasting a minimum of 13 weeks up to 26 weeks maximum, attending 25-30 hours per week. During this time the beneficiaries will remain on benefits. The training closely resembles real work and can be provided either by off-site training or on-site training in the form of work placements.

The programme includes elements of initial and diagnostic assessment for individuals including additional ESOL support where necessary, soft skills support, certification in health and safety, manual handling, plant awareness etc. Employment tasters and work placements in a range of construction skill areas, eg painting and decorating, brickwork, paving and drainage, carpentry and joinery, plastering and general construction operations are built into the programme, leading to vocational qualifications or appropriate alternatives in the areas chosen by the beneficiary.

Building Maintenance must be readily available to enable beneficiaries to gain the necessary skills to take up employment in the refurbishment of housing stock.

Contact:

Graham Ratcliffe,

Wakefield Homebuilder.

Tel: 01924 306111

Bradford Youthbuild Trust

Area Covered: All areas of the Bradford District.

Aim: This project is a partnership between Bradford Youthbuild Trust, Accent Community Partnerships and Bradford College. It will work with 100 people over 2 years; each person receiving up to 6 months construction training, work placements and basic skills tuition.

The programme offers individuals with an interest but little or no experience in the construction trade access to a range of qualifications in several skill areas dependant on individual needs and interests. e.g. maintenance, bricklaying, joinery, plastering etc. Training offered must meet industry standards and employer needs leading to units towards the following qualifications: NVQ I in construction; NVQ level 2 in one of the construction trades, eg bricklayers, carpenters & joiners, glaziers, painters & decorators, plasterers, roofers, NVQ II Building Maintenance which is our priority area; appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card; Health and Safety certification etc.

Target Group: Unemployed people aged 18+ with priority given to those individuals who are unemployed 6 months+.

Activities: The project starts with a part-time two-week pre-training course of between 25 and 30 hours during which beneficiaries will sample a range of construction trades to enable them to make an informed choice on the trade they wish to pursue.

Following the two-week pre-training course beneficiaries start an intensive training course lasting 26 weeks, attending 25-30 hours per week. During this time the beneficiaries will remain on benefits. The training will closely resemble real work and can be provided either by off-site training or on-site training in the form of work placements.

The project includes elements of initial and diagnostic assessment for individuals including additional ESOL support where necessary, soft skills support, certification in health and safety, manual handling, plant awareness etc.

Employment tasters and work placements in a range of construction skill areas, eg maintenance, painting and decorating, brickwork, paving and drainage, carpentry and joinery, plastering and general construction operations will be built into the programme leading to vocational qualifications or appropriate alternative in the areas chosen by the beneficiary. Building maintenance must be readily available to enable beneficiaries to gain the necessary skills to take up employment in the refurbishment of housing stock. Specialist case working mentoring/support is available throughout the programme and into the workplace. Post employment support is available for a maximum of 13 weeks.

Contact:

Rob Cooper

Tel: 01274 303263

Kirklees Metropolitan District Council - Pathway into Construction 2

Area Covered: Calderdale and Kirklees local authority area.

Aim: Pathway into Construction (PIC) bridges the gap between unemployment and sustainable work within the Construction Industry. PIC provides a holistic package of training, which includes practical and theoretical modules and waged employment opportunities. Throughout, the beneficiaries will undertake personal development activities and mentoring support.

Target Group: People aged 16+ unemployed for over 6 months.

Activities: The programme is a full-time 12-week training programme for building craft operatives or full-time 16-week programme for plumbing and electrical trainees, with a minimum attendance of 30 hours per week, followed by: a six-month wage subsidy scheme; advice, guidance and training that develops awareness of the construction sector and the range of opportunities available including appropriate progression routes; training to achieve transferable qualifications, as a minimum, Health and Safety, Manual Handling and First Aid.

The programme also provides a job matching service for participants. Whilst in employment, training to at least NVQ level 2 (or the equivalent) in the related occupational craft is provided.

Contact:

Allan Milne, Kirklees MC

Tel: 01484 223848