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Working in the Community - Ferrier Point

A major part of the regeneration of the Canning Town and Custom House areas of Newham, one of the Government's Mixed Communities Initiatives, is to encourage the local community to become part of the scheme and to encourage main contractors to recruit direct from the area.

On the Ferrier Point project in Canning Town, Rydon have become the first main contractor to sign up to the Regeneration Project Employment Charter, making a commitment to source labour wherever possible from the local community.

The London Borough of Newham have set up a recruitment consultancy called ‘Workplace' to assist in this process. They act as a link between the community and the contractors and facilitate interviews and taster days for the students. In June 2009 we recruited Fabrice Masamba from the local area, taking him on as the hoist driver. This is a key position for Fabrice as the hoist is the only route of access for the workforce in and out of the building. The subcontractors are also encouraged to direct any labour requirements they may have to ‘Workplace'.

The project involves the installation of 115no kitchens and bathrooms and local suppliers have become integral to this element of the works. All the kitchens are manufactured locally by Newco Kitchens at Stratford (1 mile from site) and all the sanitary ware for the project is sourced from Plumbing Trade Supplies (PTS) in London Docklands (2 miles from site)

One of our key subcontractors on the project, STV Building Services, carrying out the internal works to all properties is based in Barking (4 miles from site), with a high percentage of their workforce coming from this area. They represent a high percentage of the workforce on site and our local labour levels regularly exceed 30%

In partnership with consultants like ‘Workplace', and demonstrating our commitment to Corporate responsibility, we are continually striving for higher figures despite the challenging economic climate.

‘Walk and Talks'

East Potential, a local training organisation in canning town facilitate courses for people between the ages of 16 and 60, giving them the opportunity to study for their City and Guilds multi skills qualification. We have been actively supporting each cohorts for many months, inviting them to regular field trips to Ferrier Point.

"It's always nice to offer up and coming students an insight into the life of a construction site. As associate members of the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), encouraging people into the industry is at the heart of our business" Mike Brown, Project Manager

The field trips have enabled the students to see the live refurbishment works which take place in an environment of its kind. Safety inductions are given by Rydon staff and the students have the opportunity to discuss aspects of the careers offered within the industry - as well as experiencing a trip to the top of the 24 story block in a hoist!

The visits have proved a real success to the students.

"Rydon have been extremely supportive of East Potential's ‘Construct Your Career' programme by offering regular site visits to our students. The visits enable students to see first hand how a professional construction site is run, and to experience the variety of roles that are required to ensure the job is completed on time. The visits have helped our students focus their ideas and motivate them to achieve their qualifications and to progress further towards employment."
Lyann Kennedy, Construction Coordinator, East potential.