National Skills Academy in Hackney leaves lasting jobs legacy
More than 270 apprenticeships and work experience placements have been created for local people thanks to an award-winning partnership between Hackney Homes and a construction academy.
In a report out last week, the National Skills Academy for Construction (NSAfC) in Hackney, outlined the success it has had in training people to build better homes, as part of the Hackney Homes Decent Homes Programme, through on-the-job training and work experience.
The Academy, which was funded by the Construction Industrial Training Board (CITB) in June 2011, was supported by Hackney Homes and partnering contractors Lakehouse, Balfour Beatty and Mulalley, which were responsible for the training and upskilling of workers and community engagement.
The four-year project, that has now come to an end, created 136 apprenticeships and 135 work experience placements in construction for Hackney residents, exceeding its targets. It also helped promote the sector to schools, and in further and higher education.
Young people who have participated in the programme have had the opportunity to gain some great practical work experience and the chance to be mentored by construction professionals. In addition to gaining new skills that can contribute to their future career, the apprentices have also helped to make a difference to the homes of many Hackney residents.
Leise Brown, NSAfC Performance Coordinator CITB, said: “This has been a hugely successful project thanks to the dedication of the three main contractors, supply chain and key partnering local organisations. This collaborative and committed approach has resulted in making the Hackney Homes’ project one of the strongest NSAfC in the country.”
One of the young people given a work experience placement on the project, Chantel Forrester, Assistant Contracts Manager Trainee, said: “I enjoyed having the responsibility that came with this job. It has been great to gain an insight into what is involved with this type of regeneration work for a social housing provider. It is really important to me as a future project manager that I get to manage early on.”
The project’s outstanding achievements has won four awards and partners and apprentices celebrated the success of the project with a stakeholder event on Tuesday 25 August.