Build Salford 2022 Launches, Aligning Local Salford Residents with Construction Opportunities
A unique Salford traineeship has commenced its annual programme, allowing a cohort of 16-24 year olds to gain knowledge, skills and experience of the construction industry and giving them opportunities to progress into apprenticeships and employment.
Build Salford was initiated in response to construction industry skills shortages and the need to align local, young Salford residents with the opportunities these shortages have presented. The Traineeship has been hugely successful so far, with the last Traineeship seeing 23 of its candidates progressing onto further training, apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeships at Salford City College and Salford City Council initiated the scheme in partnership and have worked hard over the years to develop and maintain an industry-led, collaborative approach to the design and delivery of a construction-specific occupational traineeship. Since its inception, almost one hundred young people from Salford have benefitted from the approach, with many now in successful careers across the construction sector.
Councillor Philip Cusack, executive support member for skills and work at Salford City Council, said: “We are all very proud of the success of Build Salford in upskilling Salford’s young people and giving them the opportunity to progress a career in the construction industry and access apprenticeship and future employment.
“The success of the initiative is down to the fantastic partnership that we have with Salford City College and employers in the industry, working hand-in-hand to make a career in construction more obtainable and accessible. I wish the next cohort all the best with the scheme.”
The Traineeship is currently taking place at Morgan Sindall Construction’s Knowledge Quad, based at its live construction site, the Salford University North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC) on Frederick Road, opposite City Skills, at which many of the trainees will go onto study. The Knowledge Quad is a multi-purpose training and learning facility which delivers value through its focus areas of skills, education, employment and discovery. It creates a vital link between industry and education, ensuring that curriculums align with employer requirements and that students, trainees and apprentices at all levels are provided with the relevant knowledge and skills to help them succeed.
Launched on the 23rd May and lasting several weeks, the Traineeship will include a blend of classroom learning, site visits, work placements and opportunities for the trainees to gain their CSCS card. Trainees were welcomed on their induction day at the Knowledge Quad by the programme’s many employer partners, amongst them James Johnson from CITB, who presented each trainee with a branded Build Salford hoody sponsored by CITB.
James said: “CITB is proud to support the Build Salford initiative. The Traineeship is a great way for local Salford residents to experience the construction industry and kick-start their careers. CITB is committed to working with industry partners to make construction more accessible to new entrants, and Build Salford is key to this.”
The Traineeship has gone from strength to strength over the years, with the support of many construction firms and housing providers across the North West, including Keepmoat Homes, Salix Homes, Morgan Sindall Construction, Seddon, Casey, and Wilmott Dixon, to name a few.
Allan Milne, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Salford City College Group, comments: “Build Salford is a fantastic scheme allowing young people of Salford to move into careers in the construction industry. Supported by brilliant industry partners, the scheme provides a great insight into the sector and paves the way for progress into apprenticeships. I wish all the 2022 cohort the very best!”
Shaun Jones, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction, comments: “We are delighted to host the Build Salford traineeship at our Knowledge Quad for the second year in a row. The cohort are able to start the Traineeship on the right foot, experiencing a live construction site first hand and benefitting from the experience of our staff whom are on hand to provide support and advice. We wish the cohort all the best and look forward to seeing them working as fully fledged construction professionals in the future.”
For more information on the Build Salford programme click here, or alternatively contact our the Apprenticeships at Salford City College Team at apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk.