Construction firm delivers training to community
HOUSING developer Lovell will create 40 apprenticeships and 140 work experience placements through a national industry training initiative.
Lovell has been awarded National Skills Academy for Construction (NSAfC) status by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in recognition of its expertise in delivering construction skills and training in local communities.
The NSAfC aims to create jobs, attract young people into the industry and provide additional training for the construction workforce.
Over the next four years Lovell will receive funding for a new project skills co-ordinator who will help manage training at its housing developments across south Wales and the South-West.
Four new apprentices have already benefited from the academy status, through a joint Skills Academy and Prince’s Trust Get into Construction programme designed to help local unemployed people find employment.
The four trainees have been recruited at The Mill, Canton, a £100m housing development in west Cardiff. One will train as an apprentice with Lovell, while three will undertake apprenticeships with the company’s subcontractor partners.
Kate Rees, Lovell regional managing director for south Wales and the South-West, said: “Lovell believes in community investment in the broadest possible sense, helping create benefits not just through our new-build and regeneration projects, but also by enabling people living in those areas to access valuable job and training opportunities.”
Skills and Science Minister Julie James said: “Wales has developed a highly successful apprenticeship programme over recent years and we are committed to creating a culture where recruiting an apprentice is the norm for employers.
“Apprenticeships offer a credible alternative to traditional academic routes into employment and can help people of all ages to gain on-the-job experience while studying for a nationally recognised qualification.
“That Lovell has secured this new National Skills Academy is great news for the area and the wider industry.”
Lovell is currently delivering a number of high-profile housing projects in south Wales including The Mill, which is creating an 800home urban village west of Cardiff city centre, transforming the former Arjo Wiggins paper mill site with stylish apartments and homes.
The development will feature 358 homes for open-market sale by Lovell and 442 homes for rent which will be managed by Cadwyn Housing Association for the Tirion Group.