Keepmoat Property Services has announced the launch of the Kick Start Programme for residents of the Swarcliffe housing estate in east Leeds. Run in partnership with Yorkshire Housing it is a bespoke construction training programme designed to provide new skills and work experience for people of all ages.
The programme will offer a variety of workshops and training events to prepare local people for a career in construction. It offers certified training in areas such as asbestos awareness, working at height, being a Fire Marshall and equality and diversity. In addition, there is practical training on skills including painting and decorating, joinery, basic plumbing and plastering. On completion, individuals will obtain a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme card and will be ready to apply for an industry role.
The course will take place in the heart of Swarcliffe and the practical skills element will include improvement work on the Swarcliffe Community Centre. This includes creating a useable space for the Youth Matters Group to meet and work in, as well as upgrading other rooms and facilities and providing more storage capacity for users of the centre.
The programme is being offered as part of Yorkshire Housing’s ten year anniversary celebrations in Swarcliffe. Yorkshire Housing is putting on a range of community events to celebrate ten years of providing a repairs, estate and environmental service to council tenants in the area as part of a PFI agreement.
Julie Baker, community liaison manager Keepmoat Property Services Ltd, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the partnership with Yorkshire Housing. We have already seen great interest in this from people in the local area.
“The programme has been designed to help Yorkshire Housing prepare local residents for a job in the industry. Once complete, we will be able to point them in the right direction and offer further support with the next steps in finding work.”
Ashley Khan, marketing manager Keepmoat Property Services Ltd, said: “Kick Start is designed to give young people a start in the world or to help others get back into work following periods of unemployment. The advantage of the programme is that we can tailor it to suit a number of roles within the industry.”
The programme supports Yorkshire Housing’s goal of supporting 1,000 customers into work, training, self employment or apprenticeships over the next three years.
