£100,000 construction scheme launches in Wolverhampton

Residents in the city will be able to learn new skills at the Construction Skills Training Hub at a housing development on Lakefield Road.

It will see a total of 20 trainees complete a four-week course – with seven already finding work, with support offered from Wolves at Work.

Councillor Harman Banger, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for city economy, said: “There are billions of pounds of investment on site or in the pipeline in Wolverhampton and it is important residents benefit from this.

"This training hub is providing unemployed people in our city a clear route into the booming construction industry, delivering long-lasting benefits to the local community beyond the build phase.

"It will help boost local business and skills, adding to the pace of regeneration in the city while at the same time delivering WV Living homes people will love.”

The scheme is being run by Wolves at Work along with contractors Willmott Dixon and Wolverhampton College – and funded through the West Midlands Combined Authority.

More than 250 homes are being built as part of WV Living's The Marches site, with the trainees being given hands-on construction experience.

Simon Liversage, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Although it is still in its infancy, this training hub is already changing lives by providing the expertise and knowledge for people to develop their careers. One trainee secured paid employment as a labourer with us on a local primary school construction site, and another is working with us onsite at The Marches now.

"At Willmott Dixon, we believe we have a purpose beyond profit and that includes leaving a lasting positive legacy in the areas where we work. I believe that, through the Construction Skills Training Hub in Wolverhampton, we are doing just that.”

Council bosses hope a significant number of people taking part will be from groups under-represented in construction – including women and ethnic minorities.