A unique new scheme that aims to give the unemployed and trainee contractors the chance to gain new skills to give them the opportunity to get into the construction industry is going ahead in the North East.
The project is being run by Coast & Country, one of the North East’s largest housing companies, and is funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Called the Empty Homes Initiative, the project will see ten empty homes in Teeside renovated this year, with a further 10 homes being renovated in 2012.
Local residents on Teeside, who are unemployed, homeless or are struggling to gain the skills needed for working in the electrical industry, are eligible for the scheme. Nine people have been offered places so far, who range from those out-of-work, to those who are training to be plumbers, electricians and builders and wish to get some practical experience.
The nine students will be fitting new kitchens and bathrooms, wiring electrics, wallpapering, painting and decorating in the homes, and will be guided by mentors with experience in the construction industry.
Iain Sim, the Chief Executive of Coast & Country, said in a statement that the scheme aims to, “help people learn construction skills to help improve their chances of finding work and the other is to make more affordable housing available to local residents.”
Train4TradeSkills spoke to Coast & Country’s Helen Logan, who told us that the company is aiming to hire 10 more trainees to work on the project. The trainees vary from those completely new to the industry to those who have experience as a plumber, electrician, gas engineer or builder.
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