Free training for women starting careers in construction


July 2013

An employment programme is aiming to tackle the lack of women in construction by offering a dedicated course to help kick start new careers in the industry.

Despite being one of the most important sectors in the UK economy, women in construction make up just 10% of the workforce with just 1% in manual professions.

Live Train is offering a free programme, kicking off with a trade taster day on 23rd July 2013 for potential candidates to try their hand at a number of construction trades including carpentry, tiling, bricklaying, plumbing and plastering.

During the day, each candidate will be interviewed, and if successful, will be offered a place on the 9-week intensive course, based on the site of a £10m housing refurbishment programme at the Ashmole Estate in Lambeth, starting in August. The training is funded by Metropolitan and contractor Rydon as part of their commitment to the regeneration of the area, providing work and training opportunities for local residents.

Rod Shepherd, Director, Live Train said:

“Women are completely underrepresented in construction and we believe they have a lot to offer our industry. One of our female candidates from a previous course has gone on to manage a large team of trades people on one of our sites. There must be more like her out there.”

“People of any age in the local area are invited, as long as they are not in employment, education or training. The full programme will be based on a live construction site on the Ashmole Estate, which also gives the local people the opportunity for to help regenerate a south London community.”

For more information on the taster day and to sign up, contact Brynley Parker on 0207 688 8016 / 078 7250 6721or email bryn.parker@olmec-ec.org.uk.

Steve Blake, Refurbishment Director, Rydon added:

“To be able to offer a female-only programme on our Lambeth site will bring a new perspective to employment schemes and will inject some new blood and fresh ideas into our industry.”

Rydon has been working on Metropolitan's Ashmole Estate on the first of a two phase scheme to upgrade 350 properties. Work includes the installation of new kitchens, bathrooms, double-glazed windows, a new district heating system and overcladding of two tower blocks. Work is being delivered over the next five years and started on site in September 2011.

 

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