Working In Partnership To Support Apprenticeships

Mid Wales Housing Association is working alongside Wates – Contractors, Coleg Powys and Construction Skills to assist with training opportunities for young people in the construction industry.

The Association is presently developing 50 new homes at Heol Rhedyn, Vaynor, Newtown, and is committed that its development programme brings wider benefits to the communities in which it operates.

Director of Operations, Aidan Ackerman said “We have a target that 15% of the workforce are in training and that 80% of the workforce are local. Two open days have been arranged for students to visit the site and at various stages of the development, students visit so they can learn how the programme has been put together. Training opportunities have been arranged through Construction Skills which will provide placements for three apprentices, two as painters and one as a bricklayer.”

Adrian Cronin, Project Manager for Wates and Clare Ward, Apprenticeship Officer for Construction Skills welcomed engagement in the community to improve work related skills which has proved an excellent experience, leading to permanent jobs for young apprenticeships.

In addition,sub contractors working on the development are also required to make apprentice opportunities available in plumbing, ground work and scaffolding.

Andrew Gwilt is nearing completion of his bricklaying apprenticeship on site with Wates.

He has been working for J.U. Bowen, Newtown, who are sub contracted to work with Wates.

He said “Learning new skills and gaining experience has proved invaluable for me.”

Picture Caption: Representatives from Mid Wales Housing, Wates and Construction Skills with students from Coleg Powys visiting the site on a recent open day.