The Prince’s Trust and Rydon help Ealing
Get into Construction


March 2013

A group of unemployed young people in Ealing have been given a taster of life in the construction industry through a two-week intensive training programme.

The Prince’s Trust programme was organised by Rydon and local housing provider A2Dominion. The twelve young people, all aged between 18 and 25, joined the site team at the Green Man Lane regeneration scheme in West Ealing to experience a number of trades including plumbing, carpentry, electrics, bricklaying and dry-lining.

As well as practical experience, the trainees took part in workshops to improve their CV writing skills and perfect their interview techniques, in order to boost their chances of securing employment after the course.

All of the young people took the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) test, an essential health and safety qualification needed to secure work on a construction site.

An end of programme ceremony was held where the trainees could find out about training and employment opportunities with Rydon’s supply chain. The Prince’s Trust will also provide a further six months of mentoring following the course.

Peter Robertson, Group Strategy and Business Development Director, Rydon commented: “We are delighted to have been able to provide young people the experience and the confidence to make that first step into our industry. Each person has developed brilliantly over the programme and I hope that this is the start of several long and successful construction careers.

“Rydon is incredibly proud to have maintained a long association with The Trust. We remain committed to its future success and finding more rising stars in our industry.”

Rowan Pringle, from The Prince’s Trust in the South, said: “We would like to thank everyone who supported us on the course including Rydon and A2Dominion. This course is a fantastic way for young people to find out about a career in construction, while also improving their teamwork, communication skills and confidence.

Darrell Mercer, A2Dominion Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted this group of apprentices have been able to gain valuable experience on-site at Green Man Lane, where we are working with our partners to regenerate the estate.

“Regeneration is not just about building new homes but investing in local communities, and this apprenticeship programme has made a fantastic contribution to helping young people from the local area. We have no doubt the experience gained by those who have participated on this scheme will help them as they move forward into employment, education or training.”

Rydon has worked with The Princes Trust since 2006 and became the first company to deliver a ‘Get Into Construction’ programme run entirely by trades-people on a fully functioning construction site. 

Rydon is working in partnership with A2Dominion to deliver the regeneration of Green Man Lane, a nine year project to deliver over 700 new homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and private sale.

Youth charity The Prince's Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Three in four young people supported by The Trust move into work, education or training.

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